National General (NTTNP) 10-Q 29 Jul 19 2019 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Statement - $ / shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 25, 2019
Document Information
Document Type	10-Q
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001578735
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36311
Entity Registrant Name	NATIONAL GENERAL HOLDINGS CORP.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	27-1046208
Entity Address, Address Line One	59 Maiden Lane
Entity Address, Address Line Two	38th Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	New York
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	10038
City Area Code	212
Local Phone Number	380-9500
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Listing, Par Value Per Share	$ 0.01
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		113,215,632
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Document Information
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	NGHC
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
7.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A
Document Information
Title of 12(b) Security	7.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A
Trading Symbol	NGHCP
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Depositary Shares, Representing 1/40th of a Share of 7.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B
Document Information
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary Shares, Representing 1/40th of a Share of 7.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B
Trading Symbol	NGHCO
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Depositary Shares, Representing 1/40th of a Share of 7.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C
Document Information
Title of 12(b) Security	Depositary Shares, Representing 1/40th of a Share of 7.50% Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series C
Trading Symbol	NGHCN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
7.625% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Document Information
Title of 12(b) Security	7.625% Subordinated Notes due 2055
Trading Symbol	NGHCZ
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investments:
Debt securities, available-for-sale, at fair value (Exchanges - $304,350 and $297,083)	$ 4,028,507	$ 3,561,032
Equity securities, at fair value	4,968	10,949
Short-term investments (Exchanges - $17,015 and $17,328)	202,507	348,549
Other investments (related parties - $235,141 and $233,723)	303,980	306,276
Total investments	4,539,962	4,226,806
Cash and cash equivalents	211,597	193,858
Restricted cash and cash equivalents (Exchanges - $289 and $200)	32,743	39,725
Accrued investment income (related parties - $2,376 and $2,362) (Exchanges - $1,561 and $1,596)	28,988	27,177
Premiums and other receivables, net (Exchanges - $65,053 and $61,327)	1,532,780	1,399,812
Deferred acquisition costs (Exchanges - $21,639 and $20,007)	270,384	251,408
Reinsurance recoverable (related parties - $5,664 and $7,425) (Exchanges - $128,899 and $117,068)	1,443,240	1,611,738
Prepaid reinsurance premiums (Exchanges - $124,970 and $136,433)	609,370	665,674
Premises and equipment, net (Exchanges - $764 and $1,695)	405,767	308,004
Intangible assets, net (Exchanges - $3,315 and $3,405)	369,000	379,937
Goodwill	183,430	180,183
Prepaid and other assets (Exchanges - $60 and $4,581)	39,395	154,958
Total assets	9,666,656	9,439,280
Liabilities:
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves (Exchanges - $194,297 and $178,470)	2,887,240	2,957,159
Unearned premiums and other revenue (Exchanges - $267,086 and $265,763)	2,366,832	2,280,728
Reinsurance payable (Exchanges - $36,733 and $40,393)	591,418	656,265
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (related parties - $2,454 and $69,874) (Exchanges - $4,128 and $7,720)	309,173	398,058
Debt	708,657	705,795
Other liabilities (Exchanges - $45,411 and $61,640)	342,468	240,404
Total liabilities	7,205,788	7,238,409
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 150,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 113,215,632 shares - 2019; authorized 150,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 112,940,595 shares - 2018.	1,132	1,129
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value - authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 2,565,120 shares - 2019; authorized 10,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 2,565,120 shares - 2018. Aggregate liquidation preference $450,000 - 2019, $450,000 - 2018.	450,000	450,000
Additional paid-in capital	1,060,379	1,057,783
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Unrealized foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(17,659)	(14,461)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	77,569	(37,669)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	59,910	(52,130)
Retained earnings	907,841	764,056
Total National General Holdings Corp. Stockholders’ Equity	2,479,262	2,220,838
Non-controlling interest	(18,394)	(19,967)
Total stockholders’ equity	2,460,868	2,200,871
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 9,666,656	$ 9,439,280

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt securities, available-for-sale	$ 4,028,507	$ 3,561,032
Short-term investments	202,507	348,549
Other investments	303,980	306,276
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	32,743	39,725
Accrued investment income	28,988	27,177
Premiums and other receivables, net	1,532,780	1,399,812
Deferred acquisition costs	270,384	251,408
Reinsurance recoverable	1,443,240	1,611,738
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	609,370	665,674
Premises and equipment, net	405,767	308,004
Intangible assets, net	369,000	379,937
Prepaid and other assets	39,395	154,958
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	2,887,240	2,957,159
Unearned premiums and other revenue	2,366,832	2,280,728
Reinsurance payable	591,418	656,265
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	309,173	398,058
Other liabilities	$ 342,468	$ 240,404
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	113,215,632	112,940,595
Common stock, shares outstanding	113,215,632	112,940,595
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Shares of preferred stock issued	2,565,120	2,565,120
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	2,565,120	2,565,120
Aggregate liquidation preference	$ 450,000	$ 450,000
Related Parties
Other investments	235,141	233,723
Accrued investment income	2,376	2,362
Reinsurance recoverable	5,664	7,425
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	2,454	69,874
Reciprocal Exchanges
Debt securities, available-for-sale	304,350	297,083
Short-term investments	17,015	17,328
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	289	200
Accrued investment income	1,561	1,596
Premiums and other receivables, net	65,053	61,327
Deferred acquisition costs	21,639	20,007
Reinsurance recoverable	128,899	117,068
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	124,970	136,433
Premises and equipment, net	764	1,695
Intangible assets, net	3,315	3,405
Prepaid and other assets	60	4,581
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	194,297	178,470
Unearned premiums and other revenue	267,086	265,763
Reinsurance payable	36,733	40,393
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,128	7,720
Other liabilities	$ 45,411	$ 61,640

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Revenues:
Net earned premium	$ 1,030,651	$ 942,906	$ 1,994,808	$ 1,848,444
Ceding commission income	60,192	55,408	129,726	99,876
Service and fee income	148,908	130,501	314,415	272,623
Net investment income	35,131	25,995	68,576	51,006
Net loss on investments	(5,230)	(19,704)	(5,208)	(19,586)
Total revenues	1,269,652	1,135,106	2,502,317	2,252,363
Expenses:
Loss and loss adjustment expense	715,535	670,328	1,367,344	1,304,494
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	194,126	181,860	406,044	350,570
General and administrative expenses	247,767	224,429	495,861	455,434
Interest expense	12,925	15,038	25,924	26,192
Total expenses	1,170,353	1,091,655	2,295,173	2,136,690
Income before provision for income taxes	99,299	43,451	207,144	115,673
Provision for income taxes	22,241	6,541	44,747	22,743
Net income	77,058	36,910	162,397	92,930
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	818	7,638	7,237	19,826
Net income attributable to NGHC	77,876	44,548	169,634	112,756
Dividends on preferred stock	(8,925)	(7,875)	(16,800)	(15,750)
Net income attributable to NGHC common stockholders	$ 68,951	$ 36,673	$ 152,834	$ 97,006
Earnings per common share (“EPS”):
Basic EPS	$ 0.61	$ 0.34	$ 1.35	$ 0.91
Diluted EPS	$ 0.60	$ 0.34	$ 1.33	$ 0.89

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 77,058	$ 36,910	$ 162,397	$ 92,930
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	210	(9,297)	(4,043)	(10,204)
Income tax effect	(44)	1,645	845	1,833
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	166	(7,652)	(3,198)	(8,371)
Gross unrealized gain (loss) on investments before reclassifications	80,187	(23,915)	156,972	(77,121)
Income tax effect	(16,839)	5,276	(32,964)	16,449
Total change in net unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	63,348	(18,639)	124,008	(60,672)
Reclassification adjustments for investments gain/loss to net income:
Net realized (gain) loss on investments	(69)	19,555	51	19,557
Income tax effect	14	(4,107)	(11)	(4,107)
Total (gain) loss on investments reclassifications to net income, net of tax	(55)	15,448	40	15,450
Other comprehensive income (loss) before income tax effect	80,328	(13,657)	152,980	(67,768)
Income tax effect	(16,869)	2,814	(32,130)	14,175
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	63,459	(10,843)	120,850	(53,593)
Comprehensive income	140,517	26,067	283,247	39,337
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	(3,312)	8,505	(1,573)	25,797
Comprehensive income attributable to NGHC	$ 137,205	$ 34,572	$ 281,674	$ 65,134

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common stock	Preferred Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Non-controlling Interest
Common stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017		106,697,648
Common stock, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 1,067
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017			2,565,000
Preferred stock, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017			$ 420,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,953,425			$ 917,751	$ (8,112)	$ 597,863	$ 24,856
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	92,930					112,756	(19,826)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(8,371)				(8,371)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	(45,222)				(39,251)		(5,971)
Common stock dividends declared	(8,564)					(8,564)
Preferred stock dividends declared	(15,750)					(15,750)
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, shares		452,671
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, value	1,601	$ 4		1,597
Shares withheld related to net share settlement, shares		(92,548)
Shares withheld related to net share settlement, value	(2,114)			(2,114)
Stock-based compensation	4,510			4,510
Common stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018		107,057,771
Common stock, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018		$ 1,071
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018			2,565,000
Preferred stock, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018			$ 420,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018	1,981,275			921,744	(55,698)	695,099	(941)
Common stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2018		106,887,566
Common stock, amount, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2018		$ 1,069
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2018			2,565,000
Preferred stock, amount, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2018			$ 420,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2018	1,964,653			919,029	(45,722)	662,713	7,564
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	36,910					44,548	(7,638)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(7,652)				(7,652)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	(3,191)				(2,324)		(867)
Common stock dividends declared	(4,287)					(4,287)
Preferred stock dividends declared	(7,875)					(7,875)
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, shares		201,180
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, value	1,109	$ 2		1,107
Shares withheld related to net share settlement, shares		(30,975)
Shares withheld related to net share settlement, value	(772)			(772)
Stock-based compensation	2,380			2,380
Common stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018		107,057,771
Common stock, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018		$ 1,071
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018			2,565,000
Preferred stock, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018			$ 420,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2018	1,981,275			921,744	(55,698)	695,099	(941)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative-effect adjustment of change in accounting principles	$ 8,830				36	8,794
Common stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	112,940,595	112,940,595
Common stock, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018		$ 1,129
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	2,565,120		2,565,120
Preferred stock, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018			$ 450,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 2,200,871			1,057,783	(52,130)	764,056	(19,967)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	162,397					169,634	(7,237)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(3,198)				(3,198)
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	124,048				115,238		8,810
Common stock dividends declared	(9,049)					(9,049)
Preferred stock dividends declared	(16,800)					(16,800)
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, shares		400,488
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, value	247	$ 3		244
Shares withheld related to net share settlement, shares		(125,451)
Shares withheld related to net share settlement, value	(3,140)			(3,140)
Stock-based compensation	$ 5,492			5,492
Common stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	113,215,632	113,215,632
Common stock, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019		$ 1,132
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	2,565,120		2,565,120
Preferred stock, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019			$ 450,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 2,460,868			1,060,379	59,910	907,841	(18,394)
Common stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019		113,137,346
Common stock, amount, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019		$ 1,131
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019			2,565,120
Preferred stock, amount, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019			$ 450,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2019	2,331,482			1,058,061	581	843,415	(21,706)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income (loss)	77,058					77,876	(818)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	166				166
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	63,293				59,163		4,130
Common stock dividends declared	(4,525)					(4,525)
Preferred stock dividends declared	(8,925)					(8,925)
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, shares		108,212
Common stock issued under employee stock plans and exercises of stock options, value	154	$ 1		153
Shares withheld related to net share settlement, shares		(29,926)
Shares withheld related to net share settlement, value	(705)			(705)
Stock-based compensation	$ 2,870			2,870
Common stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	113,215,632	113,215,632
Common stock, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019		$ 1,132
Preferred stock, shares outstanding, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	2,565,120		2,565,120
Preferred stock, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019			$ 450,000
Total stockholders' equity, amount, ending balance at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 2,460,868			$ 1,060,379	$ 59,910	$ 907,841	$ (18,394)

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 162,397	$ 92,930
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net loss on investments	5,208	19,586
Bad debt expense	37,849	36,682
Depreciation and amortization	57,134	42,026
Stock-based compensation expense	5,492	4,510
Other, net	(213)	4,336
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accrued investment income	(1,858)	(1,675)
Premiums and other receivables	(172,669)	(177,047)
Deferred acquisition costs	(19,198)	(30,888)
Reinsurance recoverable	167,655	(129,115)
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	55,856	(117,252)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	93,691	14,166
Unpaid loss and loss adjustment expense reserves	(65,795)	72,872
Unearned premiums and other revenue	87,986	288,399
Reinsurance payable	(63,426)	183,915
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(29,703)	(16,224)
Other liabilities	(25,202)	(123,022)
Net cash provided by operating activities	295,204	164,199
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of Debt securities, available-for-sale	(489,070)	(729,785)
Purchases of Short-term investments	(1,237,248)	(1,503,917)
Purchases of Other investments	(1,235)	(7,467)
Purchases of Premises and equipment	(77,749)	(81,733)
Proceeds from Sale and maturity of debt securities, available-for-sale	173,110	734,997
Proceeds from Sale of equity securities	1,700	3,493
Proceeds from Sale of short-term investments	1,385,164	1,396,894
Proceeds from Sale and return of other investments	5,899	120,064
Other investing activities	5,935	9,379
Net cash used in investing activities	(245,364)	(76,833)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of debt issuance costs	(1,726)	0
Repayments of debt and principal payments under capital leases obligations	(6,554)	(9,000)
Issuance of common stock — employee share options	247	193
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards	(3,140)	(2,114)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(9,044)	(8,544)
Dividends paid to preferred shareholders	(16,742)	(15,750)
Net cash used in financing activities	(36,959)	(35,215)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,124)	(8,307)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	10,757	43,844
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of the period	233,583	357,484
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of the period	244,340	401,328
Common stock
Dividends Payable
Dividends Payable	4,526	4,282
Preferred Stock
Dividends Payable
Dividends Payable	$ 8,925	$ 7,875

Basis of Reporting

Basis of Reporting	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Reporting	Basis of Reporting The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National General Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “NGHC”) and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 previously filed with the SEC on February 25, 2019 . The balance sheet at December 31, 2018 , has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim period and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative, if annualized, of those to be expected for the full year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Adirondack Insurance Exchange, a New York reciprocal insurer, and New Jersey Skylands Insurance Association, a New Jersey reciprocal insurer (together with their subsidiaries, the “Reciprocal Exchanges” or “Exchanges”). The Company has no ownership interest in the Reciprocal Exchanges but manages their business operations and has the ability to direct their activities through its wholly-owned management companies. The Reciprocal Exchanges are property and casualty insurers. As of December 31, 2018 , the Company reclassified finance lease liabilities in the amount of $30,346 from “Other liabilities” to “Debt” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets to conform to the current-year presentation. A detailed description of the Company’s significant accounting policies and management judgments is located in the notes to the audited consolidated financial statements, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 , filed with the SEC.
Basis of Accounting, Policy	The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National General Holdings Corp. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “NGHC”) and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 previously filed with the SEC on February 25, 2019 . The balance sheet at December 31, 2018 , has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim period and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative, if annualized, of those to be expected for the full year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During 2019 Standard Description Date of Adoption Effect on the Company ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related amendments. This standard was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. January 1, 2019 The Company adopted the standard as of the beginning of the year using the modified retrospective transition approach and did not adjust prior comparative periods. On January 1, 2019, the Company recorded the recognition of the ROU asset and lease liability net of deferred rent, inducement costs and deferred tax impact of $85,000, in both assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations and had no impact on cash flows. See Note 9, “Leases” for additional information. Not Yet Adopted With the exception of the adopted or not yet adopted accounting pronouncements discussed here, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements, or quantitative or qualitative progress made towards implementation of outstanding accounting pronouncements during the six months ended June 30, 2019 , as compared to those described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 , that are of significance, or potential significance, to the Company. Standard Description Effective Date Effect on the Company ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and related amendments. This standard significantly changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. ASU 2016-13 will require immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of many financial assets, which will generally result in earlier recognition of allowances for credit losses on loans and other financial instruments. Companies will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Companies will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances. The FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, which clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Topic 326 and impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842, Leases. The FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which clarifies that an entity should include recoveries when estimating the allowance for credit losses. The FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief, which eases transition to the credit losses standard by providing the option to measure certain types of assets at fair value. The standard requires using a modified retrospective approach, recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the standard is effective. January 1, 2020 The Company has identified certain financial assets in scope, including debt securities classified as available for sale, financing receivables and reinsurance recoverables. The impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures at the date of adoption of the updated standard will be determined by the financial instruments held by the Company and the macroeconomic conditions and exposures at that time. The Company’s implementation and evaluation process to date includes, but is not limited to, model development, fulfillment of additional data needs for new disclosures and reporting requirements, and drafting of accounting policies. Based on the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio, current market conditions, and historical credit loss activity, the adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This standard establishes a one-step process for testing the value of the goodwill which an entity carries. ASU 2017-04 requires the goodwill impairment to be measured as the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests. January 1, 2020 The impact of the standard will depend upon the performance of the Company’s reporting units and the market conditions impacting the fair value of each reporting unit going forward. The adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Investments

Investments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Investments	Investments (a) Available-For-Sale Debt Securities The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities were as follows: June 30, 2019 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value U.S. Treasury $ 58,237 $ 1,973 $ (62 ) $ 60,148 Federal agencies 24,060 38 (1 ) 24,097 States and political subdivision bonds 252,345 5,626 (62 ) 257,909 Foreign government 147,834 5,121 — 152,955 Corporate bonds 1,599,222 57,176 (2,192 ) 1,654,206 Residential mortgage-backed securities 970,968 13,314 (2,113 ) 982,169 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 577,700 27,443 (518 ) 604,625 Asset-backed securities 56,236 1,284 (31 ) 57,489 Structured securities 238,442 212 (3,745 ) 234,909 Total $ 3,925,044 $ 112,187 $ (8,724 ) $ 4,028,507 NGHC $ 3,625,959 $ 106,733 $ (8,535 ) $ 3,724,157 Reciprocal Exchanges 299,085 5,454 (189 ) 304,350 Total $ 3,925,044 $ 112,187 $ (8,724 ) $ 4,028,507 December 31, 2018 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value U.S. Treasury $ 64,829 $ 1,026 $ (262 ) $ 65,593 Federal agencies 37,842 22 (389 ) 37,475 States and political subdivision bonds 274,367 1,369 (3,539 ) 272,197 Foreign government 151,443 993 (70 ) 152,366 Corporate bonds 1,283,061 3,094 (25,450 ) 1,260,705 Residential mortgage-backed securities 944,365 716 (19,965 ) 925,116 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 548,192 3,757 (6,974 ) 544,975 Asset-backed securities 60,563 705 (121 ) 61,147 Structured securities 249,947 99 (8,588 ) 241,458 Total $ 3,614,609 $ 11,781 $ (65,358 ) $ 3,561,032 NGHC $ 3,311,639 $ 11,206 $ (58,896 ) $ 3,263,949 Reciprocal Exchanges 302,970 575 (6,462 ) 297,083 Total $ 3,614,609 $ 11,781 $ (65,358 ) $ 3,561,032 As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the Company had no other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) in AOCI related to available-for-sale debt securities. The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities held as of June 30, 2019 , by contractual maturity, are shown in the table below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total June 30, 2019 Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Due in one year or less $ 42,330 $ 42,360 $ 4,116 $ 4,224 $ 46,446 $ 46,584 Due after one year through five years 900,127 922,586 154,099 155,874 1,054,226 1,078,460 Due after five years through ten years 923,621 959,652 40,815 42,330 964,436 1,001,982 Due after ten years 241,937 243,937 13,095 13,261 255,032 257,198 Mortgage-backed securities 1,517,944 1,555,622 86,960 88,661 1,604,904 1,644,283 Total $ 3,625,959 $ 3,724,157 $ 299,085 $ 304,350 $ 3,925,044 $ 4,028,507 (b) Gross Unrealized Losses The tables below summarize the gross unrealized losses on debt securities classified as available for sale, by length of time the security has continuously been in an unrealized loss position. Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total June 30, 2019 Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized U.S. Treasury $ 10,988 $ (6 ) $ 17,908 $ (56 ) $ 28,896 $ (62 ) Federal agencies — — 259 (1 ) 259 (1 ) States and political subdivision bonds 2,929 (9 ) 6,559 (53 ) 9,488 (62 ) Foreign government 500 — — — 500 — Corporate bonds 18,179 (28 ) 85,550 (2,164 ) 103,729 (2,192 ) Residential mortgage-backed securities 146,074 (712 ) 72,282 (1,401 ) 218,356 (2,113 ) Commercial mortgage-backed securities 56,841 (119 ) 51,069 (399 ) 107,910 (518 ) Asset-backed securities — — 1,714 (31 ) 1,714 (31 ) Structured securities 84,407 (1,018 ) 87,964 (2,727 ) 172,371 (3,745 ) Total $ 319,918 $ (1,892 ) $ 323,305 $ (6,832 ) $ 643,223 $ (8,724 ) NGHC $ 313,877 $ (1,864 ) $ 302,813 $ (6,671 ) $ 616,690 $ (8,535 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 6,041 (28 ) 20,492 (161 ) 26,533 (189 ) Total $ 319,918 $ (1,892 ) $ 323,305 $ (6,832 ) $ 643,223 $ (8,724 ) Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total December 31, 2018 Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized U.S. Treasury $ 474 $ (2 ) $ 21,540 $ (260 ) $ 22,014 $ (262 ) Federal agencies 23,729 (351 ) 1,493 (38 ) 25,222 (389 ) States and political subdivision bonds 57,090 (902 ) 119,759 (2,637 ) 176,849 (3,539 ) Foreign government 45,748 (70 ) — — 45,748 (70 ) Corporate bonds 586,359 (12,891 ) 321,115 (12,559 ) 907,474 (25,450 ) Residential mortgage-backed securities 234,396 (1,637 ) 551,623 (18,328 ) 786,019 (19,965 ) Commercial mortgage-backed securities 13,229 (239 ) 148,700 (6,735 ) 161,929 (6,974 ) Asset-backed securities 25,978 (78 ) 1,494 (43 ) 27,472 (121 ) Structured securities 222,154 (8,136 ) 6,167 (452 ) 228,321 (8,588 ) Total $ 1,209,157 $ (24,306 ) $ 1,171,891 $ (41,052 ) $ 2,381,048 $ (65,358 ) NGHC $ 1,115,823 $ (22,668 ) $ 1,018,975 $ (36,228 ) $ 2,134,798 $ (58,896 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 93,334 (1,638 ) 152,916 (4,824 ) 246,250 (6,462 ) Total $ 1,209,157 $ (24,306 ) $ 1,171,891 $ (41,052 ) $ 2,381,048 $ (65,358 ) There were 351 and 1,662 individual security lots at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively, that accounted for the gross unrealized loss, none of which are deemed by the Company to be other-than-temporary impairments. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , of the $6,832 and $41,052 , respectively, of unrealized losses in unrealized loss positions for a period of twelve or more consecutive months, none of those securities were greater than or equal to 25% of its amortized cost. Factors influencing management’s determination that none of these securities were OTTI included the length of time and/or magnitude of unrealized losses in relation to cost, the nature of the investment, the current financial condition of the issuer and its future prospects, the ability to recover to cost in the near term, and management’s intent not to sell these securities and it being more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell these investments before anticipated recovery of fair value to the Company’s cost basis. The Company regularly monitors its investments that have fair values less than cost or amortized cost for indicators of OTTI, an assessment that requires management judgment regarding the evidence known. Such judgments could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could negatively impact the amounts reported. The Company’s debt securities portfolio is sensitive to interest rate fluctuations, which impact the fair value of individual securities. Unrealized losses on debt securities reported above were primarily caused by the effects of the interest rate environment. Therefore, the Company does not believe the unrealized losses represent an OTTI as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . (c) Equity Securities The fair values of equity securities were as follows: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Common stock $ 4,968 $ 10,949 Total $ 4,968 $ 10,949 NGHC $ 4,968 $ 10,949 Reciprocal Exchanges — — Total $ 4,968 $ 10,949 (d) Investment Income The components of net investment income consisted of the following: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Cash and short-term investments $ 847 $ 142 $ 2,344 $ 329 Debt securities 30,725 25,570 60,192 49,826 Equity securities 1 204 3 359 Other, net (related parties - three months - $1,919 and $340; six months - $2,173 and $45) 4,732 1,832 8,238 3,653 Investment income 36,305 27,748 70,777 54,167 Investment expenses (1,174 ) (1,753 ) (2,201 ) (3,161 ) Net investment income $ 35,131 $ 25,995 $ 68,576 $ 51,006 NGHC $ 33,007 $ 23,790 $ 64,282 $ 46,657 Reciprocal Exchanges 2,124 2,205 4,294 4,349 Net investment income $ 35,131 $ 25,995 $ 68,576 $ 51,006 (e) Net Realized Gains (Losses) The table below indicates realized gains and losses on investments. Other, net includes realized gains and losses from short-term and other investments and foreign exchange. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses are determined based on the specific identification method. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Debt securities, available-for-sale: Gross gains $ 187 $ 964 $ 323 $ 2,088 Gross losses (118 ) (20,519 ) (374 ) (21,645 ) Net realized gain (loss) on debt securities, available-for-sale 69 (19,555 ) (51 ) (19,557 ) Equity securities (5,317 ) (4,779 ) (4,281 ) (5,827 ) Other, net 18 4,630 (876 ) 5,798 Net realized loss on investments $ (5,230 ) $ (19,704 ) $ (5,208 ) $ (19,586 ) NGHC $ (5,274 ) $ (18,736 ) $ (4,508 ) $ (18,487 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 44 (968 ) (700 ) (1,099 ) Net realized loss on investments $ (5,230 ) $ (19,704 ) $ (5,208 ) $ (19,586 ) Net gains and losses recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date were as follows: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Net losses recognized during the period $ (5,317 ) $ (4,779 ) $ (4,281 ) $ (5,827 ) Less: Net losses recognized during the period on securities sold during the period — (108 ) — (108 ) Net losses recognized during the reporting period on securities still held at the reporting date $ (5,317 ) $ (4,671 ) $ (4,281 ) $ (5,719 ) (f) Credit Quality of Investments The tables below summarize the credit quality of debt securities, as rated by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”). If a security is not rated by S&P, an S&P equivalent is determined based on ratings from similar rating agencies. Securities that are not rated are included in the “BB+ and lower” category. NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges June 30, 2019 Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage U.S. Treasury $ 45,370 $ 46,789 1.3 % $ 12,867 $ 13,359 4.4 % AAA 608,213 635,346 17.1 % 20,230 20,774 6.8 % AA, AA+, AA- 1,390,221 1,411,057 37.8 % 129,362 131,073 43.1 % A, A+, A- 724,652 746,552 20.0 % 125,759 128,269 42.1 % BBB, BBB+, BBB- 799,592 825,916 22.2 % 10,835 10,843 3.6 % BB+ and lower 57,911 58,497 1.6 % 32 32 — % Total $ 3,625,959 $ 3,724,157 100.0 % $ 299,085 $ 304,350 100.0 % NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges December 31, 2018 Amortized Fair Percentage Amortized Fair Percentage U.S. Treasury $ 52,122 $ 52,759 1.6 % $ 12,707 $ 12,834 4.3 % AAA 586,639 589,078 18.0 % 18,335 18,109 6.1 % AA, AA+, AA- 1,385,709 1,358,528 41.6 % 142,525 140,114 47.2 % A, A+, A- 591,219 581,106 17.8 % 118,535 115,618 38.9 % BBB, BBB+, BBB- 653,645 641,554 19.7 % 10,834 10,374 3.5 % BB+ and lower 42,305 40,924 1.3 % 34 34 — % Total $ 3,311,639 $ 3,263,949 100.0 % $ 302,970 $ 297,083 100.0 % The tables below summarize the investment quality of the corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations. June 30, 2019 AAA AA+, A+,A,A- BBB+, BB+ or Fair % of Financial Institutions — % 3.7 % 25.0 % 13.8 % 0.4 % $ 710,473 42.9 % Industrials 0.3 % 4.4 % 19.7 % 29.2 % 0.5 % 894,880 54.1 % Utilities/Other — % — % 1.3 % 1.7 % — % 48,853 3.0 % Total 0.3 % 8.1 % 46.0 % 44.7 % 0.9 % $ 1,654,206 100.0 % NGHC — % 5.5 % 38.3 % 44.1 % 0.9 % $ 1,469,284 88.8 % Reciprocal Exchanges 0.3 % 2.6 % 7.7 % 0.6 % — % 184,922 11.2 % Total 0.3 % 8.1 % 46.0 % 44.7 % 0.9 % $ 1,654,206 100.0 % December 31, 2018 AAA AA+, A+,A,A- BBB+, BB+ or Fair % of Financial Institutions — % 4.3 % 23.1 % 14.2 % 0.9 % $ 535,373 42.5 % Industrials 0.4 % 6.1 % 21.5 % 26.7 % 0.6 % 697,324 55.3 % Utilities/Other — % — % 1.8 % 0.4 % — % 28,008 2.2 % Total 0.4 % 10.4 % 46.4 % 41.3 % 1.5 % $ 1,260,705 100.0 % NGHC — % 6.3 % 37.3 % 40.6 % 1.4 % $ 1,079,099 85.6 % Reciprocal Exchanges 0.4 % 4.1 % 9.1 % 0.7 % 0.1 % 181,606 14.4 % Total 0.4 % 10.4 % 46.4 % 41.3 % 1.5 % $ 1,260,705 100.0 % (g) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Investments The Company, in order to conduct business in certain states, is required to maintain letters of credit or assets on deposit to support state mandated regulatory requirements and certain third party agreements. The Company also utilizes trust accounts to collateralize business with its reinsurance counterparties. These assets are held primarily in the form of cash or certain high grade securities. Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash are as follows: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 211,597 $ 193,858 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 32,743 39,725 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 244,340 $ 233,583 Restricted investments are as follows: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Securities on deposit with state regulatory authorities $ 79,814 $ 73,119 Restricted investments to trusts in certain reinsurance transactions 58,653 70,470 Total restricted investments $ 138,467 $ 143,589 (h) Short-term and Other Investments Short-term investments include investments with maturities between 91 days and less than one year at the date of acquisition. Short-term investments also consist of commercial paper, U.S. Treasury bills and money market funds that are held within the Company’s longer term investment portfolios. The table below summarizes the composition of other investments: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Equity method investments (related parties - $106,683 and $106,031) $ 141,675 $ 142,921 Notes receivable (related parties - $128,458 and $127,692) 129,313 128,893 Long-term Certificates of Deposit (CDs), at cost 20,150 20,252 Investments, at fair value 5,174 6,542 Investments, at cost or amortized cost 7,668 7,668 Total $ 303,980 $ 306,276 Equity method investments represent limited liability companies and limited partnership investments in real estate. Investments at fair value, primarily represent the Company’s right to receive the excess servicing spread related to servicing rights, for which the Company has elected the fair value option with changes in fair value recorded in earnings. Investments at cost or amortized cost, represent limited partnerships, loans and trusts. The Company believes its exposure to risk associated with these investments is generally limited to the investment carrying amounts. The Company’s other investments are assessed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the investment might not be recoverable. For both the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , the Company did not record OTTI on other investments. Equity Method Investments - Related Parties The significant shareholder of the Company has an ownership interest in AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (“AmTrust”) and ACP Re Ltd. (“ACP Re”). Limited Liability Companies and Limited Partnerships The following entities are considered by the Company to be Variable Interest Entities, for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company accounts for these entities using the equity method of accounting. The Company believes its exposure to risk associated with these investments is generally limited to the investment carrying amounts. LSC Entity The Company has a 50% ownership interest in an entity (the “LSC Entity”) initially formed to acquire life settlement contracts, with AmTrust owning the remaining 50% . The LSC Entity used the contributed capital to pay premiums and purchase policies. A life settlement contract is a contract between the owner of a life insurance policy and a third party who obtains the ownership and beneficiary rights of the underlying life insurance policy. The LSC Entity has a 30% non-controlling equity interest in a limited partnership managed by a third party. As of June 30, 2019 , the LSC Entity directly held one life settlement contract. The life settlement contract is accounted for using the fair value method. The following table presents the Company’s 50% investment activity in the LSC Entity: Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 Balance, beginning of the period $ 48,324 $ 160,683 Distributions (three months - $0 and $9,000) — (116,035 ) Contributions (three months - $0 and $0) — 2,000 Equity in earnings (losses) (three months - $1,145 and $809) 1,731 1,509 Change in equity method investments 1,731 (112,526 ) Balance, end of the period $ 50,055 $ 48,157 800 Superior, LLC The Company holds an investment in 800 Superior, LLC, a limited liability company that owns an office building in Cleveland, Ohio, with AmTrust. AmTrust has been appointed managing member of 800 Superior, LLC. The Company and AmTrust each have a 50% ownership interest in 800 Superior, LLC. Additionally, the Company entered into an office lease with 800 Superior, LLC. The Company paid 800 Superior, LLC $742 and $723 in rent for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Company paid 800 Superior, LLC $1,484 and $1,445 in rent for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Company’s equity interest in 800 Superior, LLC as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $792 and $816 , respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 800 Superior, LLC of $282 and $(192) , respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 800 Superior, LLC of $(24) and $(1,262) , respectively. East Ninth & Superior, LLC The Company holds an investment in East Ninth & Superior, LLC and 800 Superior NMTC Investment Fund II, LLC with AmTrust (collectively “East Ninth & Superior”). The Company and AmTrust each have a 50% ownership interest in East Ninth and Superior, LLC and a 24.5% ownership interest in 800 Superior NMTC Investment Fund II, LLC. The Company’s equity interest in East Ninth & Superior as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $4,349 and $4,309 , respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from East Ninth & Superior of $27 and $19 , respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from East Ninth & Superior of $40 and $35 , respectively. North Dearborn Building Company, L.P. The Company holds an investment in North Dearborn Building Company, L.P. (“North Dearborn”), a limited partnership that owns an office building in Chicago, Illinois. AmTrust is also a limited partner in North Dearborn, and the general partner is NA Advisors GP LLC (“NA Advisors”), a related party, owned by Karfunkel family members which is managed by an unrelated third party. The Company and AmTrust each hold a 45% limited partnership interest in North Dearborn, while NA Advisors holds a 10% general partnership interest and a 10% profit interest, which NA Advisors pays to the unrelated third party manager. North Dearborn appointed NA Advisors as the general manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the office building. The Company’s equity interest in North Dearborn as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $5,878 and $6,214 , respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from North Dearborn of $(38) and $(156) , respectively, and received distributions of $270 and $1,125 , respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from North Dearborn of $(66) and $(165) , respectively, and received distributions of $270 and $1,125 , respectively. 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC The Company holds an investment in 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC, a limited liability company that owns an office building in Dallas, Texas, with AmTrust. AmTrust has been appointed managing member of 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC. The Company and AmTrust each have a 50% ownership interest in 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC. Additionally, the Company entered into a lease agreement with 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC. The Company paid 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC $608 and $550 in rent for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Company paid 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC $1,206 and $1,124 in rent for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Company’s equity interest in 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $921 and $793 , respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC of $105 and $(13) , respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC of $128 and $(11) , respectively. Illinois Center Building, L.P. The Company holds an investment in Illinois Center Building, L.P. (“Illinois Center”), a limited partnership that owns an office building in Chicago, Illinois. AmTrust and ACP Re are also limited partners in Illinois Center and the general partner is NA Advisors. The Company and AmTrust each hold a 37.5% limited partnership interest in Illinois Center, while ACP Re holds a 15.0% limited partnership interest. NA Advisors holds a 10.0% general partnership interest and a 10.0% profit interest, which NA Advisors pays to the unrelated third party manager. Illinois Center appointed NA Advisors as the general manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the office building. The Company’s equity interest in Illinois Center as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was $44,688 and $45,575 , respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from Illinois Center of $(790) and $(1,301) , respectively, and made contributions of $1,125 and $2,250 , respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , the Company recorded equity in earnings (losses) from Illinois Center of $(2,012) and $(2,410) , respectively, and made contributions of $1,125 and $2,250 , respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company carries certain financial instruments at fair value. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are measured and classified in accordance with a fair value hierarchy consisting of three “levels” based on the observability of valuation inputs: Level 1 - Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the measurement date. Additionally, the entity must have the ability to access the active market and the quoted prices cannot be adjusted by the entity. Level 2 - Inputs are other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in inactive markets for identical or similar assets or liabilities; or inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs are supported by little or no market activity. The unobservable inputs represent management’s best assumptions of how market participants would price the assets or liabilities. Generally, Level 3 assets and liabilities are valued using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques that require significant judgment or estimation. The following describes the valuation techniques used by the Company to determine the fair value measurements on a recurring basis of financial instruments held as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . The Company utilizes a pricing service (“pricing service”) to estimate fair value measurements for all its debt and equity securities. Level 1 measurements: • U.S. Treasury and federal agencies. The fair values of U.S. government securities are based on quoted market prices in active markets. The Company believes the market for U.S. government securities is an actively traded market given the high level of daily trading volume. • Common stock. The pricing service utilizes market quotations for equity securities that have quoted market prices in active markets and their respective quoted prices are provided at fair value. • Short-term investments. Comprised of money market funds that are traded in active markets and fair values are based on quoted market prices. Level 2 measurements: • States and political subdivision bonds, and foreign government. The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active. • Corporate bonds. Comprised of bonds issued by corporations, public and privately placed. The fair values of short-term corporate bonds are priced using the spread above the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) yield curve, and the fair value of long-term corporate bonds are priced using the spread above the risk-free yield curve. The spreads are sourced from broker dealers, trade prices and the new issue market. Where pricing is unavailable from pricing services, the Company obtains non-binding quotes from broker-dealers. The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active. • Residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and structured securities. The primary inputs to the valuation include quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, contractual cash flows, benchmark yields, prepayment speeds, collateral performance and credit spreads. Level 3 measurements: • States and political subdivision bonds. The Company holds certain municipal bonds that finance economic development, infrastructure and environmental projects which do not have an active market. These bonds are valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable. • Corporate bonds. The Company holds certain structured notes and term loans that do not have an active market. These bonds are valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable. • Common stock and preferred stock. From time to time, the Company also holds certain equity securities that are issued by privately-held entities or direct equity investments that do not have an active market. The Company estimates the fair value of these securities primarily based on inputs such as third-party broker quotes, issuers’ book value, market multiples, and other inputs. These bonds are valued based on non-binding broker quotes where the inputs have not been corroborated to be market observable. • Other investments, at fair value. Comprised of the Company’s right to receive the Excess Servicing Spread (“ESS”) related to servicing rights. The Company uses a discounted cash flow method to estimate their fair value. The key inputs used in the estimation of ESS include prepayment speed and discount rate. Changes in the fair value of the ESS are recorded in earnings. Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows: June 30, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Available-for-sale debt securities: U.S. Treasury $ 60,148 $ — $ — $ 60,148 Federal agencies 24,097 — — 24,097 States and political subdivision bonds — 254,809 3,100 257,909 Foreign government — 152,955 — 152,955 Corporate bonds — 1,645,165 9,041 1,654,206 Residential mortgage-backed securities — 982,169 — 982,169 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 604,625 — 604,625 Asset-backed securities — 57,489 — 57,489 Structured securities — 234,909 — 234,909 Total available-for-sale debt securities 84,245 3,932,121 12,141 4,028,507 Equity securities: Common stock 3,963 — 1,005 4,968 Total equity securities 3,963 — 1,005 4,968 Short-term investments 202,507 — — 202,507 Other investments — — 5,174 5,174 Total $ 290,715 $ 3,932,121 $ 18,320 $ 4,241,156 NGHC $ 259,840 $ 3,641,631 $ 18,320 $ 3,919,791 Reciprocal Exchanges 30,875 290,490 — 321,365 Total $ 290,715 $ 3,932,121 $ 18,320 $ 4,241,156 December 31, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Available-for-sale debt securities: U.S. Treasury $ 65,593 $ — $ — $ 65,593 Federal agencies 37,475 — — 37,475 States and political subdivision bonds — 268,601 3,596 272,197 Foreign government — 152,366 — 152,366 Corporate bonds — 1,248,938 11,767 1,260,705 Residential mortgage-backed securities — 925,116 — 925,116 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 544,975 — 544,975 Asset-backed securities — 61,147 — 61,147 Structured securities — 241,458 — 241,458 Total available-for-sale debt securities 103,068 3,442,601 15,363 3,561,032 Equity securities: Common stock 9,898 — 1,051 10,949 Total equity securities 9,898 — 1,051 10,949 Short-term investments 348,549 — — 348,549 Other investments — — 6,542 6,542 Total $ 461,515 $ 3,442,601 $ 22,956 $ 3,927,072 NGHC $ 429,502 $ 3,160,203 $ 22,956 $ 3,612,661 Reciprocal Exchanges 32,013 282,398 — 314,411 Total $ 461,515 $ 3,442,601 $ 22,956 $ 3,927,072 The following tables provide a reconciliation of recurring fair value measurements of the Level 3 financial assets: States and Corporate Common Other Total Balance as of January 1, 2019 $ 3,596 $ 11,767 $ 1,051 $ 6,542 $ 22,956 Transfers into Level 3 — — — — — Transfers out of Level 3 — — — — — Total gains (losses) for the period: Included in net income (1) — — (46 ) (1,368 ) (1,414 ) Included in other comprehensive income (2) (496 ) (2,726 ) — — (3,222 ) Purchases — — — — — Sales — — — — — Balance as of June 30, 2019 $ 3,100 $ 9,041 $ 1,005 $ 5,174 $ 18,320 Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in net income for assets held at the end of the reporting period $ — $ — $ (46 ) $ (1,368 ) $ (1,414 ) Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in other comprehensive income for assets held at the end of the reporting period $ (496 ) $ (2,726 ) $ — $ — $ (3,222 ) States and Corporate Common Preferred Other Total Balance as of January 1, 2018 $ 4,081 $ 24,545 $ 5,052 $ 270 $ 10,782 $ 44,730 Transfers into Level 3 — — — — — — Transfers out of Level 3 — — — — — — Total gains (losses) for the period: Included in net income (1) — — (1,131 ) 9 1,075 (47 ) Included in other comprehensive income (2) (484 ) (37 ) — — — (521 ) Purchases — — — — — — Sales — — — — (1,178 ) (1,178 ) Balance as of June 30, 2018 $ 3,597 $ 24,508 $ 3,921 $ 279 $ 10,679 $ 42,984 Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in net income for assets held at the end of the reporting period $ — $ — $ (1,131 ) $ 9 $ 1,075 $ (47 ) (1) Gains and losses recognized in net income are reported within Net investment income. (2) Gains and losses recognized in other comprehensive income are reported within unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax. During the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , there were no transfers between Level 2 and Level 3. At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , the carrying values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, premiums and other receivables, and accounts payable approximate the fair value given their short-term nature and were classified as Level 1. Fair value information about financial instruments not measured at fair value Debt - The amount reported in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for these financial instruments represents the carrying value of the debt. See Note 8 , “ Debt ” for additional information. The following table presents the carrying amount and estimated fair value of debt not carried at fair value, excluding finance lease and other liabilities, as well as the input level used to determine the fair value: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Input Level Carrying amount Fair value Carrying amount Fair value 7.625% Notes Level 2 $ 96,885 $ 105,120 $ 96,842 $ 90,400 6.75% Notes Level 3 346,762 366,036 346,439 353,756 Subordinated Debentures Level 3 72,168 72,122 72,168 72,109 2016 Credit Agreement Level 3 — — 160,000 163,222 2019 Credit Agreement Level 3 160,000 169,257 — —

Deferred Acquisition Costs

Deferred Acquisition Costs	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Deferred Acquisition Costs [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	Deferred Acquisition Costs The following table reflects the amounts of policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized: Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 Property Accident Total Property Accident Total Balance, beginning of the period $ 226,188 $ 25,220 $ 251,408 $ 198,283 $ 18,106 $ 216,389 Additions 264,381 32,066 296,447 261,360 11,276 272,636 Amortization (252,342 ) (25,129 ) (277,471 ) (234,864 ) (10,428 ) (245,292 ) Change in DAC 12,039 6,937 18,976 26,496 848 27,344 Balance, end of the period $ 238,227 $ 32,157 $ 270,384 $ 224,779 $ 18,954 $ 243,733 NGHC $ 216,588 $ 32,157 $ 248,745 $ 200,460 $ 18,954 $ 219,414 Reciprocal Exchanges 21,639 — 21,639 24,319 — 24,319 Balance, end of the period $ 238,227 $ 32,157 $ 270,384 $ 224,779 $ 18,954 $ 243,733

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustme

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Insurance [Abstract]
Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses	Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves The unpaid losses and loss adjustment expense (“LAE”) reserves are the result of ongoing analysis of recent loss development trends and emerging historical experience. Original estimates are increased or decreased as additional information becomes known regarding individual claims. In setting its reserves, the Company reviews its loss data to estimate expected loss development. Management believes that its use of standard actuarial methodology applied to its analyses of its historical experience provides a reasonable estimate of future losses. However, actual future losses may differ from the Company’s estimate, and future events beyond the control of management, such as changes in law, judicial interpretations of law and inflation, may favorably or unfavorably impact the ultimate settlement of the Company’s losses and LAE. The anticipated effect of inflation is implicitly considered when estimating liabilities for losses and LAE. In addition to inflation, the average severity of claims is affected by a number of factors that may vary by types and features of policies written. Future average severities are projected from historical trends, adjusted for implemented changes in underwriting standards and policy provisions, and general economic trends. These estimated trends are monitored and revised as necessary based on actual development. The tables below show the roll forward of loss reserves on a gross and net of reinsurance basis, reflecting changes in losses incurred and paid losses: Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Property Accident NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross balance at beginning of the period $ 2,507,409 $ 271,280 $ 2,778,689 $ 178,470 $ 2,957,159 Less: Reinsurance recoverable at beginning of the period (1,182,588 ) (24,575 ) (1,207,163 ) (77,979 ) (1,285,142 ) Net balance at beginning of the period 1,324,821 246,705 1,571,526 100,491 1,672,017 Incurred losses and LAE related to: Current year 1,114,075 190,060 1,304,135 75,936 1,380,071 Prior year 4,882 (18,987 ) (14,105 ) 1,378 (12,727 ) Total incurred 1,118,957 171,073 1,290,030 77,314 1,367,344 Paid losses and LAE related to: Current year (373,662 ) (76,149 ) (449,811 ) (39,264 ) (489,075 ) Prior year (712,961 ) (88,468 ) (801,429 ) (33,260 ) (834,689 ) Total paid (1,086,623 ) (164,617 ) (1,251,240 ) (72,524 ) (1,323,764 ) Effect of foreign exchange rates — (3,338 ) (3,338 ) — (3,338 ) Net balance at end of the period 1,357,155 249,823 1,606,978 105,281 1,712,259 Plus: Reinsurance recoverable at end of the period 1,050,771 35,194 1,085,965 89,016 1,174,981 Gross balance at end of period $ 2,407,926 $ 285,017 $ 2,692,943 $ 194,297 $ 2,887,240 Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Property Accident NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross balance at beginning of the period $ 2,270,551 $ 249,653 $ 2,520,204 $ 143,353 $ 2,663,557 Less: Reinsurance recoverable at beginning of the period (1,067,495 ) (9,840 ) (1,077,335 ) (52,408 ) (1,129,743 ) Net balance at beginning of the period 1,203,056 239,813 1,442,869 90,945 1,533,814 Incurred losses and LAE related to: Current year 1,059,125 191,135 1,250,260 88,282 1,338,542 Prior year (20,552 ) (11,423 ) (31,975 ) (2,073 ) (34,048 ) Total incurred 1,038,573 179,712 1,218,285 86,209 1,304,494 Paid losses and LAE related to: Current year (507,951 ) (64,516 ) (572,467 ) (49,507 ) (621,974 ) Prior year (517,629 ) (93,708 ) (611,337 ) (27,267 ) (638,604 ) Total paid (1,025,580 ) (158,224 ) (1,183,804 ) (76,774 ) (1,260,578 ) Effect of foreign exchange rates — (8,978 ) (8,978 ) — (8,978 ) Net balance at end of the period 1,216,049 252,323 1,468,372 100,380 1,568,752 Plus: Reinsurance recoverable at end of the period 1,078,726 13,135 1,091,861 66,876 1,158,737 Gross balance at end of period $ 2,294,775 $ 265,458 $ 2,560,233 $ 167,256 $ 2,727,489 Prior year loss development, net of reinsurance Prior year development is based upon numerous estimates by line of business and accident year. No additional premiums or return premiums have been accrued as a result of the prior year effects. 2019 . Loss and LAE for the six months ended June 30, 2019 included $12,727 of favorable development on prior accident year loss and LAE reserves. The $6,260 of unfavorable development in the property and casualty segment (including $1,378 of unfavorable development for the Reciprocal Exchanges) was driven by auto liability, while the $18,987 of favorable development in the accident and health segment was primarily driven by the domestic book of business. 2018 . Loss and LAE for the six months ended June 30, 2018 included $34,048 of favorable development on prior accident year loss and LAE reserves. The $22,625 of favorable development in the property and casualty segment (including $2,073 of favorable development for the Reciprocal Exchanges) was primarily driven by favorable development in the Company’s auto physical damage and homeowners business, while $11,423 of favorable development in the accident and health segment was primarily driven by favorable development in the Company’s domestic products.

Reinsurance

Reinsurance	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Insurance [Abstract]
Reinsurance	Reinsurance The Company utilizes various excess of loss, quota share, state-based industry pools or facilities, and catastrophe reinsurance programs to limit its exposure to a maximum loss on any one risk. Reinsurance agreements transfer portions of the underlying risk of the business the Company writes. Reinsurance does not discharge or diminish the Company’s obligation to pay claims covered by the insurance policies it issues; however, it does permit the Company to recover certain incurred losses from its reinsurers and the Company’s reinsurance recoveries reduce the maximum loss that it may incur as a result of a covered loss event. The Company’s reinsurers generally carry at least an A.M. Best Company, Inc. rating of “A-” (Excellent) or are fully collateralized at the time they enter into the Company’s reinsurance agreements. The Company also enters into reinsurance relationships with third-party captives formed by agents as a mechanism for sharing risk and profit. The total amount, cost and limits relating to the reinsurance coverage the Company purchases may vary from year to year based upon a variety of factors, including the availability of quality reinsurance at an acceptable price and the level of risk that the Company chooses to retain for its own account. The Company assumes and cedes insurance risks under various reinsurance agreements, on both a pro rata basis and excess of loss basis. The Company purchases reinsurance to mitigate the volatility of direct and assumed business, which may be caused by the aggregate value or the concentration of written exposures in a particular geographic area or business segment and may arise from catastrophes or other events. The Company pays a premium as consideration for ceding the risk. Reinsurance recoverable is as follows: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses $ 268,259 $ 326,596 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 1,174,981 1,285,142 Reinsurance recoverable $ 1,443,240 $ 1,611,738 The following is the effect of reinsurance on unpaid loss and LAE reserves and unearned premiums: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Assumed Ceded Assumed Ceded Unpaid Loss and LAE reserves $ 72,010 $ 1,174,981 $ 84,469 $ 1,285,142 Unearned premiums 21,080 609,370 21,015 665,674 The following is the effect of reinsurance on premiums and losses: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Premium: Written Earned Written Earned Written Earned Written Earned Direct $ 1,293,591 $ 1,356,695 $ 1,310,908 $ 1,256,277 $ 2,782,779 $ 2,672,400 $ 2,724,785 $ 2,447,604 Assumed 20,317 19,843 29,541 31,498 40,907 40,843 48,794 60,549 Total Gross Premium 1,313,908 1,376,538 1,340,449 1,287,775 2,823,686 2,713,243 2,773,579 2,508,153 Ceded (318,510 ) (345,887 ) (450,474 ) (344,869 ) (663,624 ) (718,435 ) (776,961 ) (659,709 ) Net Premium $ 995,398 $ 1,030,651 $ 889,975 $ 942,906 $ 2,160,062 $ 1,994,808 $ 1,996,618 $ 1,848,444 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Assumed Ceded Assumed Ceded Assumed Ceded Assumed Ceded Loss and LAE $ 11,324 $ 150,709 $ 10,329 $ 225,234 $ 16,646 $ 360,031 $ 9,008 $ 422,551 State-based Industry Pools and Facilities The Company’s reinsurance programs include premiums written under state-mandated involuntary plans for automobile, motorcycle and commercial vehicles and premiums ceded to state-provided reinsurance facilities such as Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (“MCCA”) and North Carolina Reinsurance Facility (“NCRF”), for which the Company retains no loss indemnity risk. Prepaid reinsurance premiums are earned on a pro rata basis over the period of risk, based on a daily earnings convention, which is consistent with premiums written. The Company believes that it is unlikely to incur any material loss as a result of non-payment of amounts owed to the Company by MCCA and NCRF because (i) the payment obligations are extended over many years, resulting in relatively small current payment obligations, (ii) both MCCA and NCRF are supported by assessments permitted by statute, and (iii) the Company has not historically incurred losses as a result of non-payment. Because MCCA and NCRF are supported by assessments permitted by statute, and there have been no significant and uncollectible balances from MCCA and NCRF, the Company believes that it has no significant exposure to uncollectible reinsurance balances from these entities. Quota Share Agreements Effective July 1, 2017 , the Company entered into an Auto Quota Share Agreement (the “Auto Quota Share Agreement”) covering the Company’s auto lines of business, under which the Company ceded 15.0% of net liability under auto policies in force as of the effective date and new and renewal policies issued during the two -year term of the agreement to an unaffiliated third-party reinsurance provider. Under the Auto Quota Share Agreement, the Company received a 31.2% provisional ceding commission on premiums ceded to the reinsurer during the term of the Auto Quota Share Agreement, subject to a sliding scale adjustment to a maximum of 32.8% if the loss ratio for the reinsured business is 63.4% or less and a minimum of 29.6% if the loss ratio is 66.6% or higher. The liability of the reinsurer is capped at $5,000 per risk or $70,000 per event. The Company retains the flexibility, under certain conditions, to increase the cession percentage up to a maximum cession of 30.0% and to decrease the cession percentage to a minimum cession of 5.0% during 2019. Effective January 1, 2019, the Company ceded 7.0% of net liability under new and renewal auto policies written. Effective July 1, 2019, the Company renewed its Auto Quota Share Agreement for a two year term. Effective July 1, 2019, the Company cedes 10.0% of net liability under new and renewal auto policies with the ability to increase the cession to up to 30.0% and decrease the cession down to 5.0% under certain conditions. The Company receives a 31.2% provisional ceding commission on premiums ceded to the reinsurer during the term of the Auto Quota Share Agreement, subject to a sliding scale adjustment to a maximum of 32.8% if the loss ratio for the reinsured business is 64.7% or less and a minimum of 30.0% if the loss ratio is 67.5% or higher. Effective July 1, 2017 , the Company entered into a Homeowners Quota Share Agreement (the “HO Quota Share Agreement”) covering the Company’s homeowners line of business, under which the Company ceded 29.6% of net liability under homeowners policies, including lender-placed property policies, in force as of the effective date and new and renewal policies issued during the two -year term of the agreement to unaffiliated third-party reinsurance providers. Under the HO Quota Share Agreement, the Company received a 42.5% ceding commission on premiums ceded to the reinsurers during the term of the HO Quota Share Agreement. The liability of the reinsurers is capped at $5,000 per risk or $70,000 per event. Effective May 1, 2018 , the Company ceded an additional 12.4% of net liability (for a total cession of 42.0% ) and received a 38.0% ceding commission on the additional 12.4% in ceded premiums. Effective July 1, 2019, the Company renewed its HO Quota Share Agreement for a one year term. Effective July 1, 2019, the Company cedes 40.0% of net liability under homeowners policies and receives a 36.0% ceding commission on new and renewal business and a portion of the in-force business. A portion of the in-force business is being run-off under the prior agreements. The weighted average expected ceding commission for all in-force business and new and renewal homeowners business is 37.5% over the contract term. Catastrophe Reinsurance As of May 1, 2018 , the Company’s reinsurance property catastrophe excess of loss program, protecting the Company against catastrophic events and other large losses, provided a total of $575,000 in coverage with a $70,000 retention, with one reinstatement. Effective May 1, 2019 , the Company’s reinsurance property catastrophe excess of loss program, protecting the Company against catastrophic events and other large losses, provides a total of $650,000 in coverage with one reinstatement with a $70,000 retention for the first event and $50,000 for the second event. Effective July 1, 2018 , the casualty program provides $35,000 in coverage in excess of a $5,000 retention. The Company pays a premium as consideration for ceding the risk. As of July 1, 2018 , a reinsurance property catastrophe excess of loss program went into effect protecting the Reciprocal Exchanges against accumulations of losses resulting from a catastrophic event. The property catastrophe program provided a total of $475,000 in coverage with a $20,000 retention, with one reinstatement. Effective July 1, 2019 , the Reciprocal Exchanges renewed their property catastrophe excess of loss program providing a total of $480,000 in coverage with a $20,000 retention, with one reinstatement.

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt The following table represents the Company’s debt: Interest Rate Maturity June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Fixed-rate: 6.75% Notes 6.75% 2024 $ 350,000 $ 350,000 7.625% Notes 7.625% 2055 100,000 100,000 Floating-rate: Subordinated Debentures I LIBOR + 3.40% 2035 41,238 41,238 Subordinated Debentures II LIBOR + 4.25% 2037 30,930 30,930 2016 Credit Agreement (1) LIBOR + 2.00% 2020 — 160,000 2019 Credit Agreement (2) LIBOR + 1.75% 2023 160,000 — Finance lease liabilities Various Various 20,383 14,824 Other 3.5% Various 12,459 15,522 Unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized discount (6,353 ) (6,719 ) Total carrying amount of debt $ 708,657 $ 705,795 (1) The weighted average interest rate on the amount outstanding as of December 31, 2018 was 4.58% . (2) The weighted average interest rate on the amount outstanding as of June 30, 2019 was 4.21% . The following table presents the Company’s interest expense: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Interest Payment Frequency 2019 2018 2019 2018 6.75% Notes Semiannually $ 5,907 $ 5,907 $ 11,813 $ 11,813 7.625% Notes Quarterly 1,907 1,907 3,813 3,813 Subordinated Debentures Quarterly 1,189 1,097 2,352 2,083 2016 Credit Agreement Quarterly — 2,066 1,211 3,750 2019 Credit Agreement Quarterly 1,817 — 2,346 — Finance lease liabilities Various 292 156 586 320 Other (1) Various 1,813 3,905 3,803 4,413 Total interest expense $ 12,925 $ 15,038 $ 25,924 $ 26,192 (1) Other includes interest for other liabilities, interest credited on funds held balances and accretion of debt issuance costs. Senior Notes The 6.75% Notes are the Company’s general unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with its other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to any of its indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the 6.75% Notes. The 6.75% Notes are also effectively subordinated to any of the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness and are structurally subordinated to the existing and future indebtedness of the Company’s subsidiaries (including trade payables). The 6.75% Notes mature on May 15, 2024, unless earlier redeemed or purchased by the Company. The 7.625% Notes are the Company’s subordinated unsecured obligations and rank (i) senior in right of payment to any future junior subordinated debt, (ii) equal in right of payment with any unsecured, subordinated debt that the Company incurs in the future that ranks equally with the 7.625% Notes, and (iii) subordinate in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and future senior debt, including amounts outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility, the Company’s 6.75% notes and certain of the Company’s other obligations. In addition, the 7.625% Notes are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness, liabilities and other obligations of the Company’s subsidiaries. The 7.625% Notes mature on September 15, 2055, unless earlier redeemed or purchased by the Company. Subordinated Debentures The Company, through a subsidiary, is the issuer of junior subordinated debentures (the “Subordinated Debentures”) relating to an issuance of trust preferred securities. The Subordinated Debentures require interest-only payments to be made on a quarterly basis, with principal due at maturity. The Subordinated Debentures’ principal amounts of $41,238 and $30,930 mature on 2035 and 2037, respectively, and bear interest at an annual rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.40% and LIBOR plus 4.25% , respectively. The Subordinated Debentures are redeemable by the Company at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount. Credit Agreement On February 25, 2019 , the Company refinanced its existing credit agreement and entered into a new credit agreement (the “ 2019 Credit Agreement ”), with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, KeyBank National Association and Fifth Third Bank, as Co-Syndication Agents, and the various lending institutions party thereto. The 2019 Credit Agreement is currently a $340,000 base revolving credit facility with a letter of credit sublimit of $150,000 and an expansion feature of up to $50,000 . Borrowings under the 2019 Credit Agreement bear interest at either the Alternate Base Rate (“ABR”) or the LIBO rate. ABR borrowings under the 2019 Credit Agreement will bear interest at (x) the greatest of (a) the prime rate in effect on such day, (b) the federal funds effective rate on such day plus 0.5 percent or (c) the adjusted LIBO rate for a one-month interest period on such day plus 1 percent . Eurodollar borrowings under the 2019 Credit Agreement will bear interest at the adjusted LIBO rate plus the Eurodollar spread for the interest period in effect. Fees payable by the Company under the 2019 Credit Agreement include a letter of credit participation fee, a letter of credit fronting fee with respect to each letter of credit ( 0.125% ) and a commitment fee on the available commitments of the lenders (a range of 0.175% to 0.25% based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, and which rate was 0.225% as of June 30, 2019 ). The 2019 Credit Agreement has a maturity date of February 25, 2023. Maturities of the Company’s debt for the years subsequent to June 30, 2019 are as follows: 2019 (remaining six months) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Thereafter Total 6.75% Notes $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 350,000 $ — $ 350,000 7.625% Notes — — — — — — 100,000 100,000 Subordinated Debentures I — — — — — — 41,238 41,238 Subordinated Debentures II — — — — — — 30,930 30,930 2019 Credit Agreement — — — — 160,000 — — 160,000 Finance lease liabilities 3,182 6,009 3,841 2,218 1,334 1,242 2,557 20,383 Other 3,117 6,399 2,943 — — — — 12,459 Total principal amount of debt $ 6,299 $ 12,408 $ 6,784 $ 2,218 $ 161,334 $ 351,242 $ 174,725 $ 715,010 Unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized discount (6,353 ) Carrying amount of debt $ 708,657 Covenants and Compliance The indenture relating to the 6.75% Notes and 7.625% Notes contains customary covenants, such as reporting of annual and quarterly financial results, and restrictions on certain mergers and consolidations, as well as covenants relating to the incurrence of debt if the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio would exceed 0.35 to 1.00 , a limitation on liens, a limitation on the disposition of stock of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and a limitation on transactions with certain of the Company’s affiliates. The 2019 Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive covenants customary for facilities of this type (subject to negotiated exceptions and baskets), including restrictions on indebtedness, liens, acquisitions and investments, restricted payments and dispositions. There are also financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a minimum consolidated net worth, a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, a minimum risk-based capital and a minimum rating. The 2019 Credit Agreement also provides for customary events of default, with grace periods where customary, including failure to pay principal when due, failure to pay interest or fees within three business days after becoming due, failure to comply with covenants, breaches of representations and warranties, default under certain other indebtedness, certain insolvency or receivership events affecting the Company and its subsidiaries, the occurrence of certain material judgments, or a change in control of the Company. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an event of default, the administrative agent, upon the request of the requisite percentage of the lenders, may terminate the obligations of the lenders to make loans and to issue letters of credit under the 2019 Credit Agreement , declare the Company’s obligations under the 2019 Credit Agreement to become immediately due and payable and/or exercise any and all remedies and other rights under the 2019 Credit Agreement . As of June 30, 2019 , the Company was in compliance with the covenants contained in the Company’s debt agreements.

Leases

Leases	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating lease ROU assets and operating leases liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. The Company uses an incremental borrowing rate at commencement date in determining the present value of future payments. The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are generally accounted for separately. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard. Application of the package of practical expedients allowed the Company not to reassess a) whether any expired or existing contracts contain leases, b) existing lease classification, c) initial direct cost for existing leases, and d) land easements that exist before the Company's adoption of the new standard. The Company leases certain retail stores, office space, land, and equipment. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheets; the Company recognizes lease expense for these leases over the lease term. Most leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from one to five years or more. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. Certain of the Company's lease agreements include rental payments adjusted periodically for inflation. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Company rents or subleases certain real estate to third parties. Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follow: Leases Classification June 30, 2019 Assets: Finance Buildings and improvements $ 9,905 Finance Vehicle 7,185 Finance Hardware, software and other equipment 5,254 Total finance 22,344 Operating Operating lease assets 105,864 Total lease assets Premises and equipment, net (1) $ 128,208 Liabilities: Finance Debt $ 20,383 Operating Other liabilities 114,609 Total lease liabilities $ 134,992 (1) As of June 30, 2019 , accumulated depreciation and amortization for Buildings and improvements, Vehicle, Hardware, software and other equipment, and Operating lease assets was $1,422 , $4,844 , $7,193 and $12,614 , respectively. The components of lease cost are as follows: Lease Cost Classification Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Finance lease cost: Amortization of leased assets General and administrative expenses $ 1,865 $ 3,623 Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 292 586 Finance lease cost $ 2,157 $ 4,209 Operating lease cost General and administrative expenses $ 8,926 $ 17,744 Maturities of the Company’s lease liabilities for the years subsequent to June 30, 2019 are as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2019 (remaining six months) $ 15,910 $ 3,626 $ 19,536 2020 27,183 6,709 33,892 2021 21,550 4,314 25,864 2022 17,164 2,560 19,724 2023 14,548 1,589 16,137 2024 11,884 1,428 13,312 Thereafter 27,932 2,847 30,779 Total lease payments $ 136,171 $ 23,073 $ 159,244 Less: Interest (21,562 ) (2,690 ) Present value of lease liabilities $ 114,609 $ 20,383 Supplemental information related to term and discount rate is as follow: Leases Classification June 30, 2019 Weighted-average remaining lease term: Finance Buildings and improvements 7.7 years Finance Vehicle 2.9 years Finance Hardware, software and other equipment 2.0 years Operating Operating lease assets 5.7 years Weighted-average discount rate: Finance Buildings and improvements 5.8 % Finance Vehicle 4.2 % Finance Hardware, software and other equipment 4.3 % Operating Operating lease assets 5.8 % Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follow: Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating cash flows from finance leases $ 478 Financing cash flows from finance leases 3,491 Operating cash flows from operating leases 10,893 Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 8,942 Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 10,092

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Litigation The Company’s insurance subsidiaries are named as defendants in various legal actions arising principally from claims made under insurance policies and contracts. Those actions are considered by the Company in estimating the loss and LAE reserves. The Company’s management believes the resolution of those actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company as a defendant and the other parties involved in the consolidated multi-district class action litigation in the United States District Court for the Central District of California with respect to allegations of improper practices in the placement of insurance in the historical and no longer existing collateral protection insurance program for Wells Fargo have recently reached agreement upon a settlement of the litigation subject to court approval. The Company’s net liability relating to the settlement is $10,000 which amount was fully accrued as of December 31, 2018 .

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return. The Reciprocal Exchanges are not included in the Company’s consolidated tax return as the Company does not have an ownership interest in the Reciprocal Exchanges, and they are not a part of the consolidated tax sharing agreement among the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company uses the estimated annual effective tax rate method. Certain items, including those deemed to be unusual, infrequent or that cannot be reliably estimated, are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. In these cases, the actual tax expense or benefit is reported in the same period as the related item. Certain tax effects are also not reflected in the estimated annual effective tax rate, primarily certain changes in the realizability of deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions. The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate increased from 15.1% for the three months ended June 30, 2018 to 22.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2019 . The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate increased from 19.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 to 21.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 . The consolidated effective tax rate was impacted by the implementation of tax law changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2018. All tax liabilities are payable to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and various state and local taxing agencies. The Company’s subsidiaries are currently under audit by the IRS for the year ended December 31, 2015, and open to audit years thereafter for federal tax purposes. For state and local tax purposes, the Company is open to audit for tax years ended December 31, 2014 forward, depending on jurisdiction.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders’ Equity Preferred Stock The Company has four separate series (Series A through D) of preferred stock outstanding. Two of these series (Series B and C) were issued in offerings using depositary shares. Dividends on the Series A, B and C preferred stock are payable on the liquidation preference amount, on a non-cumulative basis, when, as and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, quarterly in arrears on the 15th day of January, April, July and October of each year. Dividends on the Series D preferred stock are payable on the liquidation preference amount, on a non-cumulative basis, when, as and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, semi-annually in arrears on the 15th day of January and July of each year, commencing on January 15, 2019. On or after July 15, 2023 (or in the event of a fundamental change of the Company, at any time), the Series D preferred stock may be converted at the holder’s option into shares of the Company’s common stock. A summary description of the terms of these series of preferred stock is presented in the table below: Series Dividend rate per year Shares of preferred stock issued Depositary shares issued Liquidation preference per share Aggregate liquidation preference A 7.50 % 2,200,000 — $ 25 $ 55,000 B 7.50 % 165,000 6,600,000 $ 1,000 $ 165,000 C 7.50 % 200,000 8,000,000 $ 1,000 $ 200,000 D Fixed/ Floating (1) 120 — $ 250,000 $ 30,000 (1) Dividend rate is fixed at 7.00% prior to July 15, 2023 and floating at six-month LIBOR plus 5.4941% thereafter. Common Stock and Preferred Stock Dividends Dividends are payable on the Company’s common and preferred stock only when, as and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors in its discretion, from funds legally available for this purpose. The following tables present the class of stock, declaration date and dividends paid per share: Class of Stock Declaration Date Dividend Dividend Per Depositary Share Common stock May 6, 2019 $ 0.04 Common stock February 25, 2019 $ 0.04 Preferred stock Series A May 6, 2019 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series A February 25, 2019 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series B May 6, 2019 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series B February 25, 2019 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series C May 6, 2019 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series C February 25, 2019 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series D May 6, 2019 $ 8,750.00 Class of Stock Declaration Date Dividend Per Share Dividend Per Depositary Share Common stock May 7, 2018 $ 0.04 Common stock February 26, 2018 $ 0.04 Preferred stock Series A May 7, 2018 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series A February 26, 2018 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series B May 7, 2018 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series B February 26, 2018 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series C May 7, 2018 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series C February 26, 2018 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation Effective May 6, 2019, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). The 2019 Plan authorizes up to 2.5 million shares of the Company’s stock for awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSU”), performance share units, performance units, cash-based awards or other stock-based awards. The number of shares of common stock for which awards may be issued may not exceed 2.5 million shares, subject to the authority of the Company’s Board of Directors to adjust this amount in the event of a consolidation, reorganization, stock dividend, recapitalization or similar transaction affecting the Company’s common stock. The 2019 Plan serves as a successor of the Company’s prior equity incentive plans. Outstanding awards under the prior plans continue to be outstanding and subject to their terms and conditions. As of June 30, 2019 , 2.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock remained available for grants under the 2019 Plan. Stock Options A summary of the stock option awards is shown below: Shares Subject to Options Outstanding Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Number of Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) Outstanding at beginning of period 3,184,352 $ 9.53 Exercised (63,427 ) 3.90 Outstanding and exercisable at end of period 3,120,925 $ 9.64 3.6 $ 41,500 (1) The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying stock option awards and the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $22.94 , as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 28, 2019 . No options were granted, forfeited or expired during the six months ended June 30, 2019 . The total intrinsic value of the options exercised for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $749 and $2,129 , respectively. The total intrinsic value of the options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $1,275 and $3,631 , respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $62 and $412 , respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $99 and $633 , respectively. Restricted Stock Units A summary of the RSUs is shown below: RSUs Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Number of RSUs Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at beginning of period 938,795 $ 22.28 Granted 510,241 25.58 Vested (337,061 ) 22.01 Forfeited (10,656 ) 24.15 Non-vested at end of period 1,101,319 $ 23.88 The weighted-average grant date fair value of RSUs granted for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $25.58 and $20.25 , respectively. The total fair value of the RSUs vested for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $1,623 and $1,639 , respectively. The total fair value of the RSUs vested for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was $7,419 and $5,521 , respectively. Stock-Based Compensation Expense Stock-based compensation expense, included in general and administrative expenses, for all stock-based compensation plans was $2,870 and $2,380 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and $5,492 and $4,510 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. As of June 30, 2019 , the Company had approximately $21,379 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense, all of which was related to RSUs. This unrecognized stock-based compensation expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.6 years based on vesting under the award service conditions.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The following is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Numerator: Net income attributable to NGHC $ 77,876 $ 44,548 $ 169,634 $ 112,756 Preferred stock dividends - nonconvertible (7,875 ) (7,875 ) (15,750 ) (15,750 ) Preferred stock dividends - convertible (1,050 ) — (1,050 ) — Numerator for basic EPS 68,951 36,673 152,834 97,006 Effect of dilutive securities: Preferred stock dividends - convertible 1,050 — 1,050 — Numerator for diluted EPS - after assumed conversions $ 70,001 $ 36,673 $ 153,884 $ 97,006 Denominator: Denominator for basic EPS - weighted-average shares outstanding 113,178,552 106,969,134 113,097,084 106,864,469 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options 1,882,001 2,117,842 1,910,829 2,037,772 RSUs 200,241 315,489 265,335 278,800 Convertible preferred stock 789,473 — 789,473 — Dilutive potential common shares 2,871,715 2,433,331 2,965,637 2,316,572 Denominator for diluted EPS - weighted-average shares outstanding and assumed conversions 116,050,267 109,402,465 116,062,721 109,181,041 Basic EPS $ 0.61 $ 0.34 $ 1.35 $ 0.91 Diluted EPS $ 0.60 $ 0.34 $ 1.33 $ 0.89

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions The significant shareholder of the Company has an ownership interest in AmTrust, Maiden Holdings Ltd. (“Maiden”) and ACP Re. The Company provides and receives services to and from these related entities as follows: Agreements with AmTrust Asset Purchase and Master Services Agreements On September 13, 2017 , the Company entered into an asset purchase and license agreement (the “Agreement”) with AmTrust, pursuant to which the Company acquired ownership of a policy management system and the related intellectual property, as well as a non-exclusive perpetual license to certain software programs used by the system (the “System”), for a purchase price of $200,000 , including license fees which would have been payable for use of the System during the third quarter 2017. The System has been fully transferred to the Company’s operating environment and the purchase price has been fully paid. The Agreement also terminated the existing master services agreement between the Company and AmTrust. AmTrust will continue to provide management of the premium receipts from its lockbox facilities during a transition period pursuant to the Agreement under the same terms as those provided under the master services agreement. The Company recorded expenses related to this agreement of $23 and $5,334 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and $448 and $9,090 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. NGHC Quota Share Agreement The Company participated in a quota share reinsurance treaty with ACP Re, Maiden and AmTrust, whereby the Company ceded 50% of the total net earned premiums, net of a ceding commission, and net incurred losses and LAE on business with effective dates after March 1, 2010 (“NGHC Quota Share”). In August 2013, the Company terminated the NGHC Quota Share agreement on a run-off basis. The net reinsurance recoverable is $5,664 and $7,425 at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 , respectively. The net recovery under the agreement was $(48) and $337 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and $408 and $434 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. ACP Re and Maiden held assets in trust for the benefit of the Company in the amount of $2,436 and $8,214 , respectively, as of June 30, 2019 and $3,796 and $8,644 , respectively, as of December 31, 2018 . Equity Method Investments The Company has an ownership interest in an LSC Entity, limited liability companies and limited partnerships with related parties. See Note 3 , “ Investments - Equity Method Investments - Related Parties” for additional information. Agreements with ACP Re Credit Agreement The Company is party to a credit agreement (the “ACP Re Credit Agreement”) by and among AmTrust, as administrative agent, ACP Re Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company owned by a related party trust, the Michael Karfunkel Family 2005 Trust (the “Trust”), as borrower, and AmTrust and the Company, as lenders of $250,000 ( $125,000 each lender). The amounts borrowed are secured by equity interests, cash and, other investments held by ACP Re Holdings, LLC in an amount equal to 115% of the outstanding loan balance. The maturity date of the loan is September 20, 2036. The interest rate on the outstanding principal balance is a fixed annual rate of 3.7% , provided that up to 1.2% thereof may be paid in kind. The Trust is required to cause ACP Re Holdings, LLC to maintain assets having a value greater than 115% of the outstanding loan balance, and if there is a shortfall, the Trust will make a contribution to ACP Re Holdings, LLC of assets having a market value of at least the shortfall (the “Maintenance Covenant”). Commencing on September 20, 2026, and for each year thereafter, two percent of the then outstanding principal balance of the loan (inclusive of any amounts previously paid in kind) is due and payable. A change of control of greater than 50% and an uncured breach of the Maintenance Covenant are included as events of default. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 the Company had a receivable principal amount related to the ACP Re Credit Agreement of $128,458 and $127,692 , respectively. The Company recorded interest income of $1,188 and $1,174 for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and $2,376 and $2,348 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, under the ACP Re Credit Agreement. Management determined no impairment reserve was needed for the carrying value of the loan at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 based on the collateral levels maintained. Other Related Party Transactions Operating Lease Agreements The Company leases office space at 59 Maiden Lane in New York, New York from 59 Maiden Lane Associates LLC, an entity that is wholly-owned by the Karfunkel family. The lease term is through 2022. The Company paid $208 and $208 in rent for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and $415 and $415 in rent for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. The Company leases office space at 30 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois from 30 North LaSalle Street Partners LLC, an entity that is wholly-owned by the Karfunkel family. The lease term is through 2025. The Company paid $77 and $75 in rent for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, and $153 and $150 in rent for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Use of the Company Aircraft The Company and Barry Karfunkel, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, are parties to a time sharing agreement for the use of the Company’s plane. Mr. Karfunkel had no reimbursements for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , and reimbursed $15 and $40 for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 , respectively, for his personal use of the company-owned aircraft.

Segment Information

Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information The Company currently operates two business segments, “Property and Casualty” and “Accident and Health.” The “Corporate and Other” column represents the activities of the holding company, as well as income from the Company’s investment portfolio. The Company evaluates segment profits attributable to the performance of activities within the segment separately from the results of the Company’s investment portfolio. Other operating expenses allocated to the segments are called “General and administrative expenses” which are allocated on an actual basis except corporate salaries and benefits where management’s judgment is applied. In determining total assets by segment, the Company identifies those assets that are attributable to a particular segment such as premiums, deferred acquisition costs, reinsurance recoverable, prepaid reinsurance premiums, intangible assets and goodwill, while the remaining assets are allocated to Corporate and Other. The Property and Casualty segment, which includes the Reciprocal Exchanges and the management companies, reports the management fees earned by the Company from the Reciprocal Exchanges for underwriting, investment management and other services as service and fee income. The effects of these transactions between the Company and the Reciprocal Exchanges are eliminated in consolidation to derive consolidated net income. However, the management fee income is reported in net income attributable to NGHC and included in the basic and diluted earnings per share. The following tables summarize the results of operations of the operating segments: Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenues: Gross premium written $ 1,142,236 $ 171,672 $ — $ 1,313,908 Ceded premiums (299,545 ) (18,965 ) — (318,510 ) Net premium written 842,691 152,707 — 995,398 Change in unearned premium 21,911 13,342 — 35,253 Net earned premium 864,602 166,049 — 1,030,651 Ceding commission income 56,264 3,928 — 60,192 Service and fee income 95,971 52,937 — 148,908 Total underwriting revenues 1,016,837 222,914 — 1,239,751 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 629,211 86,324 — 715,535 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 146,125 48,001 — 194,126 General and administrative expenses 186,475 61,292 — 247,767 Total underwriting expenses 961,811 195,617 — 1,157,428 Underwriting income 55,026 27,297 — 82,323 Net investment income — — 35,131 35,131 Net loss on investments — — (5,230 ) (5,230 ) Interest expense — — (12,925 ) (12,925 ) Provision for income taxes — — (22,241 ) (22,241 ) Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest — — 818 818 Net income attributable to NGHC $ 55,026 $ 27,297 $ (4,447 ) $ 77,876 Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Property Accident Corporate Total Underwriting revenues: Gross premium written $ 1,183,613 $ 156,836 $ — $ 1,340,449 Ceded premiums (432,896 ) (17,578 ) — (450,474 ) Net premium written 750,717 139,258 — 889,975 Change in unearned premium 36,020 16,911 — 52,931 Net earned premium 786,737 156,169 — 942,906 Ceding commission income 55,146 262 — 55,408 Service and fee income 87,560 42,941 — 130,501 Total underwriting revenues 929,443 199,372 — 1,128,815 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 581,894 88,434 — 670,328 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 133,743 48,117 — 181,860 General and administrative expenses 177,297 47,132 — 224,429 Total underwriting expenses 892,934 183,683 — 1,076,617 Underwriting income 36,509 15,689 — 52,198 Net investment income — — 25,995 25,995 Net loss on investments — — (19,704 ) (19,704 ) Interest expense — — (15,038 ) (15,038 ) Provision for income taxes — — (6,541 ) (6,541 ) Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest — — 7,638 7,638 Net income attributable to NGHC $ 36,509 $ 15,689 $ (7,650 ) $ 44,548 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenues: Gross premium written $ 2,393,470 $ 430,216 $ — $ 2,823,686 Ceded premiums (586,296 ) (77,328 ) — (663,624 ) Net premium written 1,807,174 352,888 — 2,160,062 Change in unearned premium (139,995 ) (25,259 ) — (165,254 ) Net earned premium 1,667,179 327,629 — 1,994,808 Ceding commission income 123,207 6,519 — 129,726 Service and fee income 200,466 113,949 — 314,415 Total underwriting revenues 1,990,852 448,097 — 2,438,949 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 1,196,271 171,073 — 1,367,344 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 300,195 105,849 — 406,044 General and administrative expenses 375,931 119,930 — 495,861 Total underwriting expenses 1,872,397 396,852 — 2,269,249 Underwriting income 118,455 51,245 — 169,700 Net investment income — — 68,576 68,576 Net loss on investments — — (5,208 ) (5,208 ) Interest expense — — (25,924 ) (25,924 ) Provision for income taxes — — (44,747 ) (44,747 ) Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest — — 7,237 7,237 Net income attributable to NGHC $ 118,455 $ 51,245 $ (66 ) $ 169,634 Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Property Accident Corporate Total Underwriting revenues: Gross premium written $ 2,382,967 $ 390,612 $ — $ 2,773,579 Ceded premiums (748,960 ) (28,001 ) — (776,961 ) Net premium written 1,634,007 362,611 — 1,996,618 Change in unearned premium (95,608 ) (52,566 ) — (148,174 ) Net earned premium 1,538,399 310,045 — 1,848,444 Ceding commission income 99,356 520 — 99,876 Service and fee income 184,495 88,128 — 272,623 Total underwriting revenues 1,822,250 398,693 — 2,220,943 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 1,124,782 179,712 — 1,304,494 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 258,845 91,725 — 350,570 General and administrative expenses 357,694 97,740 — 455,434 Total underwriting expenses 1,741,321 369,177 — 2,110,498 Underwriting income 80,929 29,516 — 110,445 Net investment income — — 51,006 51,006 Net loss on investments — — (19,586 ) (19,586 ) Interest expense — — (26,192 ) (26,192 ) Provision for income taxes — — (22,743 ) (22,743 ) Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest — — 19,826 19,826 Net income attributable to NGHC $ 80,929 $ 29,516 $ 2,311 $ 112,756 The following tables summarize the financial position of the operating segments: June 30, 2019 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Premiums and other receivables, net $ 1,336,158 $ 196,232 $ 390 $ 1,532,780 Deferred acquisition costs 238,227 32,157 — 270,384 Reinsurance recoverable 1,402,613 40,627 — 1,443,240 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 585,249 24,121 — 609,370 Intangible assets, net and Goodwill 439,158 113,272 — 552,430 Prepaid and other assets 23,041 16,294 60 39,395 Corporate and other assets — — 5,219,057 5,219,057 Total assets $ 4,024,446 $ 422,703 $ 5,219,507 $ 9,666,656 December 31, 2018 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Premiums and other receivables, net $ 1,245,530 $ 153,896 $ 386 $ 1,399,812 Deferred acquisition costs 226,188 25,220 — 251,408 Reinsurance recoverable 1,585,008 26,730 — 1,611,738 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 665,660 14 — 665,674 Intangible assets, net and Goodwill 443,163 116,957 — 560,120 Prepaid and other assets 20,941 22,472 111,545 154,958 Corporate and other assets — — 4,795,570 4,795,570 Total assets $ 4,186,490 $ 345,289 $ 4,907,501 $ 9,439,280 The following tables show an analysis of the premiums by geographical location: Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 NGHC Reciprocal Total NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross premium written - North America $ 1,178,927 $ 121,146 $ 1,300,073 $ 1,203,330 $ 117,981 $ 1,321,311 Gross premium written - Europe 13,835 — 13,835 19,138 — 19,138 Total $ 1,192,762 $ 121,146 $ 1,313,908 $ 1,222,468 $ 117,981 $ 1,340,449 Net premium written - North America $ 927,083 $ 56,220 $ 983,303 $ 803,989 $ 66,848 $ 870,837 Net premium written - Europe 12,095 — 12,095 19,138 — 19,138 Total $ 939,178 $ 56,220 $ 995,398 $ 823,127 $ 66,848 $ 889,975 Net earned premium - North America $ 959,837 $ 46,630 $ 1,006,467 $ 855,930 $ 51,803 $ 907,733 Net earned premium - Europe 24,184 — 24,184 35,173 — 35,173 Total $ 984,021 $ 46,630 $ 1,030,651 $ 891,103 $ 51,803 $ 942,906 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 NGHC Reciprocal Total NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross premium written - North America $ 2,473,721 $ 226,715 $ 2,700,436 $ 2,436,102 $ 215,670 $ 2,651,772 Gross premium written - Europe 123,250 — 123,250 121,807 — 121,807 Total $ 2,596,971 $ 226,715 $ 2,823,686 $ 2,557,909 $ 215,670 $ 2,773,579 Net premium written - North America $ 1,980,684 $ 105,175 $ 2,085,859 $ 1,757,385 $ 117,426 $ 1,874,811 Net premium written - Europe 74,203 — 74,203 121,807 — 121,807 Total $ 2,054,887 $ 105,175 $ 2,160,062 $ 1,879,192 $ 117,426 $ 1,996,618 Net earned premium - North America $ 1,852,954 $ 92,288 $ 1,945,242 $ 1,681,042 $ 97,858 $ 1,778,900 Net earned premium - Europe 49,566 — 49,566 69,544 — 69,544 Total $ 1,902,520 $ 92,288 $ 1,994,808 $ 1,750,586 $ 97,858 $ 1,848,444 The following tables summarize service and fee income by source within each operating segment: Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 Property Accident Total Property Accident Total Commission revenue $ 19,650 $ 15,973 $ 35,623 $ 21,434 $ 15,792 $ 37,226 Finance and processing fees 32,145 886 33,031 29,812 1,033 30,845 Installment fees 25,148 — 25,148 23,785 — 23,785 Group health administrative fees — 24,548 24,548 — 19,806 19,806 Late payment fees 8,517 90 8,607 8,638 25 8,663 Other service and fee income 10,511 11,440 21,951 3,891 6,285 10,176 Total $ 95,971 $ 52,937 $ 148,908 $ 87,560 $ 42,941 $ 130,501 NGHC $ 94,455 $ 52,937 $ 147,392 $ 87,115 $ 42,941 $ 130,056 Reciprocal Exchanges 1,516 — 1,516 445 — 445 Total $ 95,971 $ 52,937 $ 148,908 $ 87,560 $ 42,941 $ 130,501 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 Property Accident Total Property Accident Total Commission revenue $ 46,860 $ 40,744 $ 87,604 $ 43,143 $ 33,316 $ 76,459 Finance and processing fees 64,581 2,910 67,491 61,872 2,288 64,160 Installment fees 49,318 — 49,318 45,087 — 45,087 Group health administrative fees — 48,053 48,053 — 39,097 39,097 Late payment fees 16,810 177 16,987 16,196 50 16,246 Other service and fee income 22,897 22,065 44,962 18,197 13,377 31,574 Total $ 200,466 $ 113,949 $ 314,415 $ 184,495 $ 88,128 $ 272,623 NGHC $ 197,580 $ 113,949 $ 311,529 $ 181,604 $ 88,128 $ 269,732 Reciprocal Exchanges 2,886 — 2,886 2,891 — 2,891 Total $ 200,466 $ 113,949 $ 314,415 $ 184,495 $ 88,128 $ 272,623 The following tables show an analysis of premiums and fee income by product line: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Gross Premium Written 2019 2018 2019 2018 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 611,312 $ 632,225 $ 1,377,993 $ 1,356,870 Homeowners 190,037 190,706 342,079 330,959 RV/Packaged 61,314 59,999 113,165 109,463 Small Business Auto 83,829 84,986 169,707 171,230 Lender-placed Insurance 58,859 80,599 134,797 165,533 Other 15,739 17,117 29,014 33,242 Total Property and Casualty 1,021,090 1,065,632 2,166,755 2,167,297 Accident and Health Group 75,036 59,233 139,974 115,293 Individual 82,799 78,464 166,991 153,512 International 13,837 19,139 123,251 121,807 Total Accident and Health 171,672 156,836 430,216 390,612 Total NGHC $ 1,192,762 $ 1,222,468 $ 2,596,971 $ 2,557,909 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 43,984 $ 42,065 $ 80,846 $ 76,362 Homeowners 76,140 74,895 143,940 137,416 Other 1,022 1,021 1,929 1,892 Total Reciprocal Exchanges $ 121,146 $ 117,981 $ 226,715 $ 215,670 Total Gross Premium Written $ 1,313,908 $ 1,340,449 $ 2,823,686 $ 2,773,579 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Net Premium Written 2019 2018 2019 2018 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 511,952 $ 485,724 $ 1,170,872 $ 1,039,721 Homeowners 108,404 50,304 193,649 142,900 RV/Packaged 58,167 59,118 109,764 108,307 Small Business Auto 65,420 63,432 139,606 128,159 Lender-placed Insurance 37,214 14,887 79,284 78,101 Other 5,314 10,404 8,824 19,393 Total Property and Casualty 786,471 683,869 1,701,999 1,516,581 Accident and Health Group 57,960 48,827 111,910 94,464 Individual 82,652 78,464 166,775 153,512 International 12,095 11,967 74,203 114,635 Total Accident and Health 152,707 139,258 352,888 362,611 Total NGHC $ 939,178 $ 823,127 $ 2,054,887 $ 1,879,192 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 18,661 $ 14,520 $ 34,306 $ 28,015 Homeowners 37,211 52,016 70,227 88,824 Other 348 312 642 587 Total Reciprocal Exchanges $ 56,220 $ 66,848 $ 105,175 $ 117,426 Total Net Premium Written $ 995,398 $ 889,975 $ 2,160,062 $ 1,996,618 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Net Earned Premium 2019 2018 2019 2018 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 542,834 $ 486,438 $ 1,053,388 $ 940,654 Homeowners 102,008 79,658 186,066 161,853 RV/Packaged 49,411 48,993 99,716 94,682 Small Business Auto 60,059 60,104 127,692 118,666 Lender-placed Insurance 60,278 53,694 101,996 114,163 Other 3,382 6,047 6,033 10,523 Total Property and Casualty 817,972 734,934 1,574,891 1,440,541 Accident and Health Group 57,949 48,839 111,912 94,478 Individual 83,916 79,329 166,151 153,195 International 24,184 28,001 49,566 62,372 Total Accident and Health 166,049 156,169 327,629 310,045 NGHC Total $ 984,021 $ 891,103 $ 1,902,520 $ 1,750,586 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 16,093 $ 12,462 $ 31,954 $ 25,459 Homeowners 30,225 39,109 59,716 71,880 Other 312 232 618 519 Total Reciprocal Exchanges 46,630 51,803 92,288 97,858 Total Net Earned Premium $ 1,030,651 $ 942,906 $ 1,994,808 $ 1,848,444 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Fee Income 2019 2018 2019 2018 Property and Casualty Service and Fee Income $ 94,455 $ 87,115 $ 197,580 $ 181,604 Ceding Commission Income 39,418 41,720 87,827 74,420 Total Property and Casualty 133,873 128,835 285,407 256,024 Accident and Health Service and Fee Income Group 32,862 24,756 63,236 49,570 Individual 1,242 2,164 3,378 3,461 Third Party Fee 18,833 16,021 47,335 35,097 Total Service and Fee Income 52,937 42,941 113,949 88,128 Ceding Commission Income 3,928 262 6,519 520 Total Accident and Health 56,865 43,203 120,468 88,648 NGHC Total $ 190,738 $ 172,038 $ 405,875 $ 344,672 Reciprocal Exchanges Service and Fee Income $ 1,516 $ 445 $ 2,886 $ 2,891 Ceding Commission Income 16,846 13,426 35,380 24,936 Total Reciprocal Exchanges $ 18,362 $ 13,871 $ 38,266 $ 27,827 Total Fee Income $ 209,100 $ 185,909 $ 444,141 $ 372,499

Recent Accounting Pronounceme_2

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During 2019 Standard Description Date of Adoption Effect on the Company ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related amendments. This standard was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. January 1, 2019 The Company adopted the standard as of the beginning of the year using the modified retrospective transition approach and did not adjust prior comparative periods. On January 1, 2019, the Company recorded the recognition of the ROU asset and lease liability net of deferred rent, inducement costs and deferred tax impact of $85,000, in both assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations and had no impact on cash flows. See Note 9, “Leases” for additional information. Not Yet Adopted With the exception of the adopted or not yet adopted accounting pronouncements discussed here, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements, or quantitative or qualitative progress made towards implementation of outstanding accounting pronouncements during the six months ended June 30, 2019 , as compared to those described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 , that are of significance, or potential significance, to the Company. Standard Description Effective Date Effect on the Company ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and related amendments. This standard significantly changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. ASU 2016-13 will require immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of many financial assets, which will generally result in earlier recognition of allowances for credit losses on loans and other financial instruments. Companies will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Companies will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances. The FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, which clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Topic 326 and impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842, Leases. The FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which clarifies that an entity should include recoveries when estimating the allowance for credit losses. The FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief, which eases transition to the credit losses standard by providing the option to measure certain types of assets at fair value. The standard requires using a modified retrospective approach, recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the standard is effective. January 1, 2020 The Company has identified certain financial assets in scope, including debt securities classified as available for sale, financing receivables and reinsurance recoverables. The impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures at the date of adoption of the updated standard will be determined by the financial instruments held by the Company and the macroeconomic conditions and exposures at that time. The Company’s implementation and evaluation process to date includes, but is not limited to, model development, fulfillment of additional data needs for new disclosures and reporting requirements, and drafting of accounting policies. Based on the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio, current market conditions, and historical credit loss activity, the adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This standard establishes a one-step process for testing the value of the goodwill which an entity carries. ASU 2017-04 requires the goodwill impairment to be measured as the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests. January 1, 2020 The impact of the standard will depend upon the performance of the Company’s reporting units and the market conditions impacting the fair value of each reporting unit going forward. The adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronounceme_3

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	Adopted During 2019 Standard Description Date of Adoption Effect on the Company ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) and related amendments. This standard was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. January 1, 2019 The Company adopted the standard as of the beginning of the year using the modified retrospective transition approach and did not adjust prior comparative periods. On January 1, 2019, the Company recorded the recognition of the ROU asset and lease liability net of deferred rent, inducement costs and deferred tax impact of $85,000, in both assets and liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations and had no impact on cash flows. See Note 9, “Leases” for additional information. Not Yet Adopted With the exception of the adopted or not yet adopted accounting pronouncements discussed here, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements, or quantitative or qualitative progress made towards implementation of outstanding accounting pronouncements during the six months ended June 30, 2019 , as compared to those described in Note 2, “Significant Accounting Policies” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 , that are of significance, or potential significance, to the Company. Standard Description Effective Date Effect on the Company ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, and related amendments. This standard significantly changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. ASU 2016-13 will require immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of many financial assets, which will generally result in earlier recognition of allowances for credit losses on loans and other financial instruments. Companies will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Companies will continue to use judgment to determine which loss estimation method is appropriate for their circumstances. The FASB issued ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, which clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Topic 326 and impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842, Leases. The FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments, which clarifies that an entity should include recoveries when estimating the allowance for credit losses. The FASB issued ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Targeted Transition Relief, which eases transition to the credit losses standard by providing the option to measure certain types of assets at fair value. The standard requires using a modified retrospective approach, recognizing a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the standard is effective. January 1, 2020 The Company has identified certain financial assets in scope, including debt securities classified as available for sale, financing receivables and reinsurance recoverables. The impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and disclosures at the date of adoption of the updated standard will be determined by the financial instruments held by the Company and the macroeconomic conditions and exposures at that time. The Company’s implementation and evaluation process to date includes, but is not limited to, model development, fulfillment of additional data needs for new disclosures and reporting requirements, and drafting of accounting policies. Based on the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio, current market conditions, and historical credit loss activity, the adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This standard establishes a one-step process for testing the value of the goodwill which an entity carries. ASU 2017-04 requires the goodwill impairment to be measured as the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests. January 1, 2020 The impact of the standard will depend upon the performance of the Company’s reporting units and the market conditions impacting the fair value of each reporting unit going forward. The adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Available-for-Sale Debt Securities	The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities were as follows: June 30, 2019 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value U.S. Treasury $ 58,237 $ 1,973 $ (62 ) $ 60,148 Federal agencies 24,060 38 (1 ) 24,097 States and political subdivision bonds 252,345 5,626 (62 ) 257,909 Foreign government 147,834 5,121 — 152,955 Corporate bonds 1,599,222 57,176 (2,192 ) 1,654,206 Residential mortgage-backed securities 970,968 13,314 (2,113 ) 982,169 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 577,700 27,443 (518 ) 604,625 Asset-backed securities 56,236 1,284 (31 ) 57,489 Structured securities 238,442 212 (3,745 ) 234,909 Total $ 3,925,044 $ 112,187 $ (8,724 ) $ 4,028,507 NGHC $ 3,625,959 $ 106,733 $ (8,535 ) $ 3,724,157 Reciprocal Exchanges 299,085 5,454 (189 ) 304,350 Total $ 3,925,044 $ 112,187 $ (8,724 ) $ 4,028,507 December 31, 2018 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Value U.S. Treasury $ 64,829 $ 1,026 $ (262 ) $ 65,593 Federal agencies 37,842 22 (389 ) 37,475 States and political subdivision bonds 274,367 1,369 (3,539 ) 272,197 Foreign government 151,443 993 (70 ) 152,366 Corporate bonds 1,283,061 3,094 (25,450 ) 1,260,705 Residential mortgage-backed securities 944,365 716 (19,965 ) 925,116 Commercial mortgage-backed securities 548,192 3,757 (6,974 ) 544,975 Asset-backed securities 60,563 705 (121 ) 61,147 Structured securities 249,947 99 (8,588 ) 241,458 Total $ 3,614,609 $ 11,781 $ (65,358 ) $ 3,561,032 NGHC $ 3,311,639 $ 11,206 $ (58,896 ) $ 3,263,949 Reciprocal Exchanges 302,970 575 (6,462 ) 297,083 Total $ 3,614,609 $ 11,781 $ (65,358 ) $ 3,561,032
Available-for-Sale Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity	The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities held as of June 30, 2019 , by contractual maturity, are shown in the table below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges Total June 30, 2019 Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Amortized Fair Due in one year or less $ 42,330 $ 42,360 $ 4,116 $ 4,224 $ 46,446 $ 46,584 Due after one year through five years 900,127 922,586 154,099 155,874 1,054,226 1,078,460 Due after five years through ten years 923,621 959,652 40,815 42,330 964,436 1,001,982 Due after ten years 241,937 243,937 13,095 13,261 255,032 257,198 Mortgage-backed securities 1,517,944 1,555,622 86,960 88,661 1,604,904 1,644,283 Total $ 3,625,959 $ 3,724,157 $ 299,085 $ 304,350 $ 3,925,044 $ 4,028,507
Gross Unrealized Losses	The tables below summarize the gross unrealized losses on debt securities classified as available for sale, by length of time the security has continuously been in an unrealized loss position. Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total June 30, 2019 Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized U.S. Treasury $ 10,988 $ (6 ) $ 17,908 $ (56 ) $ 28,896 $ (62 ) Federal agencies — — 259 (1 ) 259 (1 ) States and political subdivision bonds 2,929 (9 ) 6,559 (53 ) 9,488 (62 ) Foreign government 500 — — — 500 — Corporate bonds 18,179 (28 ) 85,550 (2,164 ) 103,729 (2,192 ) Residential mortgage-backed securities 146,074 (712 ) 72,282 (1,401 ) 218,356 (2,113 ) Commercial mortgage-backed securities 56,841 (119 ) 51,069 (399 ) 107,910 (518 ) Asset-backed securities — — 1,714 (31 ) 1,714 (31 ) Structured securities 84,407 (1,018 ) 87,964 (2,727 ) 172,371 (3,745 ) Total $ 319,918 $ (1,892 ) $ 323,305 $ (6,832 ) $ 643,223 $ (8,724 ) NGHC $ 313,877 $ (1,864 ) $ 302,813 $ (6,671 ) $ 616,690 $ (8,535 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 6,041 (28 ) 20,492 (161 ) 26,533 (189 ) Total $ 319,918 $ (1,892 ) $ 323,305 $ (6,832 ) $ 643,223 $ (8,724 ) Less Than 12 Months 12 Months or More Total December 31, 2018 Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized Fair Unrealized U.S. Treasury $ 474 $ (2 ) $ 21,540 $ (260 ) $ 22,014 $ (262 ) Federal agencies 23,729 (351 ) 1,493 (38 ) 25,222 (389 ) States and political subdivision bonds 57,090 (902 ) 119,759 (2,637 ) 176,849 (3,539 ) Foreign government 45,748 (70 ) — — 45,748 (70 ) Corporate bonds 586,359 (12,891 ) 321,115 (12,559 ) 907,474 (25,450 ) Residential mortgage-backed securities 234,396 (1,637 ) 551,623 (18,328 ) 786,019 (19,965 ) Commercial mortgage-backed securities 13,229 (239 ) 148,700 (6,735 ) 161,929 (6,974 ) Asset-backed securities 25,978 (78 ) 1,494 (43 ) 27,472 (121 ) Structured securities 222,154 (8,136 ) 6,167 (452 ) 228,321 (8,588 ) Total $ 1,209,157 $ (24,306 ) $ 1,171,891 $ (41,052 ) $ 2,381,048 $ (65,358 ) NGHC $ 1,115,823 $ (22,668 ) $ 1,018,975 $ (36,228 ) $ 2,134,798 $ (58,896 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 93,334 (1,638 ) 152,916 (4,824 ) 246,250 (6,462 ) Total $ 1,209,157 $ (24,306 ) $ 1,171,891 $ (41,052 ) $ 2,381,048 $ (65,358 )
Equity Securities	The fair values of equity securities were as follows: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Common stock $ 4,968 $ 10,949 Total $ 4,968 $ 10,949 NGHC $ 4,968 $ 10,949 Reciprocal Exchanges — — Total $ 4,968 $ 10,949
Investment Income	The components of net investment income consisted of the following: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Cash and short-term investments $ 847 $ 142 $ 2,344 $ 329 Debt securities 30,725 25,570 60,192 49,826 Equity securities 1 204 3 359 Other, net (related parties - three months - $1,919 and $340; six months - $2,173 and $45) 4,732 1,832 8,238 3,653 Investment income 36,305 27,748 70,777 54,167 Investment expenses (1,174 ) (1,753 ) (2,201 ) (3,161 ) Net investment income $ 35,131 $ 25,995 $ 68,576 $ 51,006 NGHC $ 33,007 $ 23,790 $ 64,282 $ 46,657 Reciprocal Exchanges 2,124 2,205 4,294 4,349 Net investment income $ 35,131 $ 25,995 $ 68,576 $ 51,006
Net Realized Gains (Losses)	The table below indicates realized gains and losses on investments. Other, net includes realized gains and losses from short-term and other investments and foreign exchange. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses are determined based on the specific identification method. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Debt securities, available-for-sale: Gross gains $ 187 $ 964 $ 323 $ 2,088 Gross losses (118 ) (20,519 ) (374 ) (21,645 ) Net realized gain (loss) on debt securities, available-for-sale 69 (19,555 ) (51 ) (19,557 ) Equity securities (5,317 ) (4,779 ) (4,281 ) (5,827 ) Other, net 18 4,630 (876 ) 5,798 Net realized loss on investments $ (5,230 ) $ (19,704 ) $ (5,208 ) $ (19,586 ) NGHC $ (5,274 ) $ (18,736 ) $ (4,508 ) $ (18,487 ) Reciprocal Exchanges 44 (968 ) (700 ) (1,099 ) Net realized loss on investments $ (5,230 ) $ (19,704 ) $ (5,208 ) $ (19,586 ) Net gains and losses recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date were as follows: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Net losses recognized during the period $ (5,317 ) $ (4,779 ) $ (4,281 ) $ (5,827 ) Less: Net losses recognized during the period on securities sold during the period — (108 ) — (108 ) Net losses recognized during the reporting period on securities still held at the reporting date $ (5,317 ) $ (4,671 ) $ (4,281 ) $ (5,719 )
Credit Quality of Investments	The tables below summarize the credit quality of debt securities, as rated by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”). If a security is not rated by S&P, an S&P equivalent is determined based on ratings from similar rating agencies. Securities that are not rated are included in the “BB+ and lower” category. NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges June 30, 2019 Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage Amortized Cost Fair Value Percentage U.S. Treasury $ 45,370 $ 46,789 1.3 % $ 12,867 $ 13,359 4.4 % AAA 608,213 635,346 17.1 % 20,230 20,774 6.8 % AA, AA+, AA- 1,390,221 1,411,057 37.8 % 129,362 131,073 43.1 % A, A+, A- 724,652 746,552 20.0 % 125,759 128,269 42.1 % BBB, BBB+, BBB- 799,592 825,916 22.2 % 10,835 10,843 3.6 % BB+ and lower 57,911 58,497 1.6 % 32 32 — % Total $ 3,625,959 $ 3,724,157 100.0 % $ 299,085 $ 304,350 100.0 % NGHC Reciprocal Exchanges December 31, 2018 Amortized Fair Percentage Amortized Fair Percentage U.S. Treasury $ 52,122 $ 52,759 1.6 % $ 12,707 $ 12,834 4.3 % AAA 586,639 589,078 18.0 % 18,335 18,109 6.1 % AA, AA+, AA- 1,385,709 1,358,528 41.6 % 142,525 140,114 47.2 % A, A+, A- 591,219 581,106 17.8 % 118,535 115,618 38.9 % BBB, BBB+, BBB- 653,645 641,554 19.7 % 10,834 10,374 3.5 % BB+ and lower 42,305 40,924 1.3 % 34 34 — % Total $ 3,311,639 $ 3,263,949 100.0 % $ 302,970 $ 297,083 100.0 % The tables below summarize the investment quality of the corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations. June 30, 2019 AAA AA+, A+,A,A- BBB+, BB+ or Fair % of Financial Institutions — % 3.7 % 25.0 % 13.8 % 0.4 % $ 710,473 42.9 % Industrials 0.3 % 4.4 % 19.7 % 29.2 % 0.5 % 894,880 54.1 % Utilities/Other — % — % 1.3 % 1.7 % — % 48,853 3.0 % Total 0.3 % 8.1 % 46.0 % 44.7 % 0.9 % $ 1,654,206 100.0 % NGHC — % 5.5 % 38.3 % 44.1 % 0.9 % $ 1,469,284 88.8 % Reciprocal Exchanges 0.3 % 2.6 % 7.7 % 0.6 % — % 184,922 11.2 % Total 0.3 % 8.1 % 46.0 % 44.7 % 0.9 % $ 1,654,206 100.0 % December 31, 2018 AAA AA+, A+,A,A- BBB+, BB+ or Fair % of Financial Institutions — % 4.3 % 23.1 % 14.2 % 0.9 % $ 535,373 42.5 % Industrials 0.4 % 6.1 % 21.5 % 26.7 % 0.6 % 697,324 55.3 % Utilities/Other — % — % 1.8 % 0.4 % — % 28,008 2.2 % Total 0.4 % 10.4 % 46.4 % 41.3 % 1.5 % $ 1,260,705 100.0 % NGHC — % 6.3 % 37.3 % 40.6 % 1.4 % $ 1,079,099 85.6 % Reciprocal Exchanges 0.4 % 4.1 % 9.1 % 0.7 % 0.1 % 181,606 14.4 % Total 0.4 % 10.4 % 46.4 % 41.3 % 1.5 % $ 1,260,705 100.0 %
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash are as follows: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 211,597 $ 193,858 Restricted cash and cash equivalents 32,743 39,725 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 244,340 $ 233,583
Restricted Investments	Restricted investments are as follows: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Securities on deposit with state regulatory authorities $ 79,814 $ 73,119 Restricted investments to trusts in certain reinsurance transactions 58,653 70,470 Total restricted investments $ 138,467 $ 143,589
Other Investments	The table below summarizes the composition of other investments: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Equity method investments (related parties - $106,683 and $106,031) $ 141,675 $ 142,921 Notes receivable (related parties - $128,458 and $127,692) 129,313 128,893 Long-term Certificates of Deposit (CDs), at cost 20,150 20,252 Investments, at fair value 5,174 6,542 Investments, at cost or amortized cost 7,668 7,668 Total $ 303,980 $ 306,276
LSC Entity	The following table presents the Company’s 50% investment activity in the LSC Entity: Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 Balance, beginning of the period $ 48,324 $ 160,683 Distributions (three months - $0 and $9,000) — (116,035 ) Contributions (three months - $0 and $0) — 2,000 Equity in earnings (losses) (three months - $1,145 and $809) 1,731 1,509 Change in equity method investments 1,731 (112,526 ) Balance, end of the period $ 50,055 $ 48,157

Fair Value of Financial Instr_2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows: June 30, 2019 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Available-for-sale debt securities: U.S. Treasury $ 60,148 $ — $ — $ 60,148 Federal agencies 24,097 — — 24,097 States and political subdivision bonds — 254,809 3,100 257,909 Foreign government — 152,955 — 152,955 Corporate bonds — 1,645,165 9,041 1,654,206 Residential mortgage-backed securities — 982,169 — 982,169 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 604,625 — 604,625 Asset-backed securities — 57,489 — 57,489 Structured securities — 234,909 — 234,909 Total available-for-sale debt securities 84,245 3,932,121 12,141 4,028,507 Equity securities: Common stock 3,963 — 1,005 4,968 Total equity securities 3,963 — 1,005 4,968 Short-term investments 202,507 — — 202,507 Other investments — — 5,174 5,174 Total $ 290,715 $ 3,932,121 $ 18,320 $ 4,241,156 NGHC $ 259,840 $ 3,641,631 $ 18,320 $ 3,919,791 Reciprocal Exchanges 30,875 290,490 — 321,365 Total $ 290,715 $ 3,932,121 $ 18,320 $ 4,241,156 December 31, 2018 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Available-for-sale debt securities: U.S. Treasury $ 65,593 $ — $ — $ 65,593 Federal agencies 37,475 — — 37,475 States and political subdivision bonds — 268,601 3,596 272,197 Foreign government — 152,366 — 152,366 Corporate bonds — 1,248,938 11,767 1,260,705 Residential mortgage-backed securities — 925,116 — 925,116 Commercial mortgage-backed securities — 544,975 — 544,975 Asset-backed securities — 61,147 — 61,147 Structured securities — 241,458 — 241,458 Total available-for-sale debt securities 103,068 3,442,601 15,363 3,561,032 Equity securities: Common stock 9,898 — 1,051 10,949 Total equity securities 9,898 — 1,051 10,949 Short-term investments 348,549 — — 348,549 Other investments — — 6,542 6,542 Total $ 461,515 $ 3,442,601 $ 22,956 $ 3,927,072 NGHC $ 429,502 $ 3,160,203 $ 22,956 $ 3,612,661 Reciprocal Exchanges 32,013 282,398 — 314,411 Total $ 461,515 $ 3,442,601 $ 22,956 $ 3,927,072
Fair Value Assets Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The following tables provide a reconciliation of recurring fair value measurements of the Level 3 financial assets: States and Corporate Common Other Total Balance as of January 1, 2019 $ 3,596 $ 11,767 $ 1,051 $ 6,542 $ 22,956 Transfers into Level 3 — — — — — Transfers out of Level 3 — — — — — Total gains (losses) for the period: Included in net income (1) — — (46 ) (1,368 ) (1,414 ) Included in other comprehensive income (2) (496 ) (2,726 ) — — (3,222 ) Purchases — — — — — Sales — — — — — Balance as of June 30, 2019 $ 3,100 $ 9,041 $ 1,005 $ 5,174 $ 18,320 Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in net income for assets held at the end of the reporting period $ — $ — $ (46 ) $ (1,368 ) $ (1,414 ) Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in other comprehensive income for assets held at the end of the reporting period $ (496 ) $ (2,726 ) $ — $ — $ (3,222 ) States and Corporate Common Preferred Other Total Balance as of January 1, 2018 $ 4,081 $ 24,545 $ 5,052 $ 270 $ 10,782 $ 44,730 Transfers into Level 3 — — — — — — Transfers out of Level 3 — — — — — — Total gains (losses) for the period: Included in net income (1) — — (1,131 ) 9 1,075 (47 ) Included in other comprehensive income (2) (484 ) (37 ) — — — (521 ) Purchases — — — — — — Sales — — — — (1,178 ) (1,178 ) Balance as of June 30, 2018 $ 3,597 $ 24,508 $ 3,921 $ 279 $ 10,679 $ 42,984 Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in net income for assets held at the end of the reporting period $ — $ — $ (1,131 ) $ 9 $ 1,075 $ (47 ) (1) Gains and losses recognized in net income are reported within Net investment income. (2) Gains and losses recognized in other comprehensive income are reported within unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax.
Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments	The following table presents the carrying amount and estimated fair value of debt not carried at fair value, excluding finance lease and other liabilities, as well as the input level used to determine the fair value: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Input Level Carrying amount Fair value Carrying amount Fair value 7.625% Notes Level 2 $ 96,885 $ 105,120 $ 96,842 $ 90,400 6.75% Notes Level 3 346,762 366,036 346,439 353,756 Subordinated Debentures Level 3 72,168 72,122 72,168 72,109 2016 Credit Agreement Level 3 — — 160,000 163,222 2019 Credit Agreement Level 3 160,000 169,257 — —

Deferred Acquisition Costs (Tab

Deferred Acquisition Costs (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Deferred Acquisition Costs [Abstract]
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs	The following table reflects the amounts of policy acquisition costs deferred and amortized: Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 Property Accident Total Property Accident Total Balance, beginning of the period $ 226,188 $ 25,220 $ 251,408 $ 198,283 $ 18,106 $ 216,389 Additions 264,381 32,066 296,447 261,360 11,276 272,636 Amortization (252,342 ) (25,129 ) (277,471 ) (234,864 ) (10,428 ) (245,292 ) Change in DAC 12,039 6,937 18,976 26,496 848 27,344 Balance, end of the period $ 238,227 $ 32,157 $ 270,384 $ 224,779 $ 18,954 $ 243,733 NGHC $ 216,588 $ 32,157 $ 248,745 $ 200,460 $ 18,954 $ 219,414 Reciprocal Exchanges 21,639 — 21,639 24,319 — 24,319 Balance, end of the period $ 238,227 $ 32,157 $ 270,384 $ 224,779 $ 18,954 $ 243,733

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjust_2

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Insurance [Abstract]
Schedule of Liability for Unpaid Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense	The tables below show the roll forward of loss reserves on a gross and net of reinsurance basis, reflecting changes in losses incurred and paid losses: Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Property Accident NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross balance at beginning of the period $ 2,507,409 $ 271,280 $ 2,778,689 $ 178,470 $ 2,957,159 Less: Reinsurance recoverable at beginning of the period (1,182,588 ) (24,575 ) (1,207,163 ) (77,979 ) (1,285,142 ) Net balance at beginning of the period 1,324,821 246,705 1,571,526 100,491 1,672,017 Incurred losses and LAE related to: Current year 1,114,075 190,060 1,304,135 75,936 1,380,071 Prior year 4,882 (18,987 ) (14,105 ) 1,378 (12,727 ) Total incurred 1,118,957 171,073 1,290,030 77,314 1,367,344 Paid losses and LAE related to: Current year (373,662 ) (76,149 ) (449,811 ) (39,264 ) (489,075 ) Prior year (712,961 ) (88,468 ) (801,429 ) (33,260 ) (834,689 ) Total paid (1,086,623 ) (164,617 ) (1,251,240 ) (72,524 ) (1,323,764 ) Effect of foreign exchange rates — (3,338 ) (3,338 ) — (3,338 ) Net balance at end of the period 1,357,155 249,823 1,606,978 105,281 1,712,259 Plus: Reinsurance recoverable at end of the period 1,050,771 35,194 1,085,965 89,016 1,174,981 Gross balance at end of period $ 2,407,926 $ 285,017 $ 2,692,943 $ 194,297 $ 2,887,240 Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Property Accident NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross balance at beginning of the period $ 2,270,551 $ 249,653 $ 2,520,204 $ 143,353 $ 2,663,557 Less: Reinsurance recoverable at beginning of the period (1,067,495 ) (9,840 ) (1,077,335 ) (52,408 ) (1,129,743 ) Net balance at beginning of the period 1,203,056 239,813 1,442,869 90,945 1,533,814 Incurred losses and LAE related to: Current year 1,059,125 191,135 1,250,260 88,282 1,338,542 Prior year (20,552 ) (11,423 ) (31,975 ) (2,073 ) (34,048 ) Total incurred 1,038,573 179,712 1,218,285 86,209 1,304,494 Paid losses and LAE related to: Current year (507,951 ) (64,516 ) (572,467 ) (49,507 ) (621,974 ) Prior year (517,629 ) (93,708 ) (611,337 ) (27,267 ) (638,604 ) Total paid (1,025,580 ) (158,224 ) (1,183,804 ) (76,774 ) (1,260,578 ) Effect of foreign exchange rates — (8,978 ) (8,978 ) — (8,978 ) Net balance at end of the period 1,216,049 252,323 1,468,372 100,380 1,568,752 Plus: Reinsurance recoverable at end of the period 1,078,726 13,135 1,091,861 66,876 1,158,737 Gross balance at end of period $ 2,294,775 $ 265,458 $ 2,560,233 $ 167,256 $ 2,727,489

Reinsurance (Tables)

Reinsurance (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Insurance [Abstract]
Schedule of Reinsurance Recoverable	Reinsurance recoverable is as follows: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses $ 268,259 $ 326,596 Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 1,174,981 1,285,142 Reinsurance recoverable $ 1,443,240 $ 1,611,738
Schedule of Effect of Reinsurance on Unpaid Loss and LAE Reserves and Unearned Premiums	The following is the effect of reinsurance on unpaid loss and LAE reserves and unearned premiums: June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Assumed Ceded Assumed Ceded Unpaid Loss and LAE reserves $ 72,010 $ 1,174,981 $ 84,469 $ 1,285,142 Unearned premiums 21,080 609,370 21,015 665,674
Schedule of Effect of Reinsurance on Premiums	The following is the effect of reinsurance on premiums and losses: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Premium: Written Earned Written Earned Written Earned Written Earned Direct $ 1,293,591 $ 1,356,695 $ 1,310,908 $ 1,256,277 $ 2,782,779 $ 2,672,400 $ 2,724,785 $ 2,447,604 Assumed 20,317 19,843 29,541 31,498 40,907 40,843 48,794 60,549 Total Gross Premium 1,313,908 1,376,538 1,340,449 1,287,775 2,823,686 2,713,243 2,773,579 2,508,153 Ceded (318,510 ) (345,887 ) (450,474 ) (344,869 ) (663,624 ) (718,435 ) (776,961 ) (659,709 ) Net Premium $ 995,398 $ 1,030,651 $ 889,975 $ 942,906 $ 2,160,062 $ 1,994,808 $ 1,996,618 $ 1,848,444
Schedule of Effect of Reinsurance on Losses	Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Assumed Ceded Assumed Ceded Assumed Ceded Assumed Ceded Loss and LAE $ 11,324 $ 150,709 $ 10,329 $ 225,234 $ 16,646 $ 360,031 $ 9,008 $ 422,551

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt Instruments	The following table represents the Company’s debt: Interest Rate Maturity June 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Fixed-rate: 6.75% Notes 6.75% 2024 $ 350,000 $ 350,000 7.625% Notes 7.625% 2055 100,000 100,000 Floating-rate: Subordinated Debentures I LIBOR + 3.40% 2035 41,238 41,238 Subordinated Debentures II LIBOR + 4.25% 2037 30,930 30,930 2016 Credit Agreement (1) LIBOR + 2.00% 2020 — 160,000 2019 Credit Agreement (2) LIBOR + 1.75% 2023 160,000 — Finance lease liabilities Various Various 20,383 14,824 Other 3.5% Various 12,459 15,522 Unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized discount (6,353 ) (6,719 ) Total carrying amount of debt $ 708,657 $ 705,795 (1) The weighted average interest rate on the amount outstanding as of December 31, 2018 was 4.58% . (2) The weighted average interest rate on the amount outstanding as of June 30, 2019 was 4.21% .
Schedule of Interest Expense	The following table presents the Company’s interest expense: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Interest Payment Frequency 2019 2018 2019 2018 6.75% Notes Semiannually $ 5,907 $ 5,907 $ 11,813 $ 11,813 7.625% Notes Quarterly 1,907 1,907 3,813 3,813 Subordinated Debentures Quarterly 1,189 1,097 2,352 2,083 2016 Credit Agreement Quarterly — 2,066 1,211 3,750 2019 Credit Agreement Quarterly 1,817 — 2,346 — Finance lease liabilities Various 292 156 586 320 Other (1) Various 1,813 3,905 3,803 4,413 Total interest expense $ 12,925 $ 15,038 $ 25,924 $ 26,192 (1) Other includes interest for other liabilities, interest credited on funds held balances and accretion of debt issuance costs.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Maturities of the Company’s debt for the years subsequent to June 30, 2019 are as follows: 2019 (remaining six months) 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Thereafter Total 6.75% Notes $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 350,000 $ — $ 350,000 7.625% Notes — — — — — — 100,000 100,000 Subordinated Debentures I — — — — — — 41,238 41,238 Subordinated Debentures II — — — — — — 30,930 30,930 2019 Credit Agreement — — — — 160,000 — — 160,000 Finance lease liabilities 3,182 6,009 3,841 2,218 1,334 1,242 2,557 20,383 Other 3,117 6,399 2,943 — — — — 12,459 Total principal amount of debt $ 6,299 $ 12,408 $ 6,784 $ 2,218 $ 161,334 $ 351,242 $ 174,725 $ 715,010 Unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized discount (6,353 ) Carrying amount of debt $ 708,657

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Related to Leases	Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follow: Leases Classification June 30, 2019 Assets: Finance Buildings and improvements $ 9,905 Finance Vehicle 7,185 Finance Hardware, software and other equipment 5,254 Total finance 22,344 Operating Operating lease assets 105,864 Total lease assets Premises and equipment, net (1) $ 128,208 Liabilities: Finance Debt $ 20,383 Operating Other liabilities 114,609 Total lease liabilities $ 134,992 (1) As of June 30, 2019 , accumulated depreciation and amortization for Buildings and improvements, Vehicle, Hardware, software and other equipment, and Operating lease assets was $1,422 , $4,844 , $7,193 and $12,614 , respectively.
Schedule of Lease Cost	The components of lease cost are as follows: Lease Cost Classification Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Finance lease cost: Amortization of leased assets General and administrative expenses $ 1,865 $ 3,623 Interest on lease liabilities Interest expense 292 586 Finance lease cost $ 2,157 $ 4,209 Operating lease cost General and administrative expenses $ 8,926 $ 17,744
Schedule of Maturity of Financing Lease Liabilities	Maturities of the Company’s lease liabilities for the years subsequent to June 30, 2019 are as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2019 (remaining six months) $ 15,910 $ 3,626 $ 19,536 2020 27,183 6,709 33,892 2021 21,550 4,314 25,864 2022 17,164 2,560 19,724 2023 14,548 1,589 16,137 2024 11,884 1,428 13,312 Thereafter 27,932 2,847 30,779 Total lease payments $ 136,171 $ 23,073 $ 159,244 Less: Interest (21,562 ) (2,690 ) Present value of lease liabilities $ 114,609 $ 20,383
Schedule of Maturity of Operating Lease Liabilities	Maturities of the Company’s lease liabilities for the years subsequent to June 30, 2019 are as follows: Operating Leases Finance Leases Total 2019 (remaining six months) $ 15,910 $ 3,626 $ 19,536 2020 27,183 6,709 33,892 2021 21,550 4,314 25,864 2022 17,164 2,560 19,724 2023 14,548 1,589 16,137 2024 11,884 1,428 13,312 Thereafter 27,932 2,847 30,779 Total lease payments $ 136,171 $ 23,073 $ 159,244 Less: Interest (21,562 ) (2,690 ) Present value of lease liabilities $ 114,609 $ 20,383
Schedule of Lease Term and Discount Rate	Supplemental information related to term and discount rate is as follow: Leases Classification June 30, 2019 Weighted-average remaining lease term: Finance Buildings and improvements 7.7 years Finance Vehicle 2.9 years Finance Hardware, software and other equipment 2.0 years Operating Operating lease assets 5.7 years Weighted-average discount rate: Finance Buildings and improvements 5.8 % Finance Vehicle 4.2 % Finance Hardware, software and other equipment 4.3 % Operating Operating lease assets 5.8 %
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases	Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follow: Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating cash flows from finance leases $ 478 Financing cash flows from finance leases 3,491 Operating cash flows from operating leases 10,893 Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 8,942 Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 10,092

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Preferred Stock	A summary description of the terms of these series of preferred stock is presented in the table below: Series Dividend rate per year Shares of preferred stock issued Depositary shares issued Liquidation preference per share Aggregate liquidation preference A 7.50 % 2,200,000 — $ 25 $ 55,000 B 7.50 % 165,000 6,600,000 $ 1,000 $ 165,000 C 7.50 % 200,000 8,000,000 $ 1,000 $ 200,000 D Fixed/ Floating (1) 120 — $ 250,000 $ 30,000 (1) Dividend rate is fixed at 7.00% prior to July 15, 2023 and floating at six-month LIBOR plus 5.4941% thereafter.
Schedule of Dividends Declared	The following tables present the class of stock, declaration date and dividends paid per share: Class of Stock Declaration Date Dividend Dividend Per Depositary Share Common stock May 6, 2019 $ 0.04 Common stock February 25, 2019 $ 0.04 Preferred stock Series A May 6, 2019 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series A February 25, 2019 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series B May 6, 2019 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series B February 25, 2019 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series C May 6, 2019 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series C February 25, 2019 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series D May 6, 2019 $ 8,750.00 Class of Stock Declaration Date Dividend Per Share Dividend Per Depositary Share Common stock May 7, 2018 $ 0.04 Common stock February 26, 2018 $ 0.04 Preferred stock Series A May 7, 2018 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series A February 26, 2018 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series B May 7, 2018 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series B February 26, 2018 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series C May 7, 2018 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875 Preferred stock Series C February 26, 2018 $ 18.75 $ 0.46875

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	summary of the stock option awards is shown below: Shares Subject to Options Outstanding Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Number of Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1) Outstanding at beginning of period 3,184,352 $ 9.53 Exercised (63,427 ) 3.90 Outstanding and exercisable at end of period 3,120,925 $ 9.64 3.6 $ 41,500 (1) The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying stock option awards and the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $22.94 , as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 28, 2019 .
Schedule of Stock-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	A summary of the RSUs is shown below: RSUs Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Number of RSUs Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Non-vested at beginning of period 938,795 $ 22.28 Granted 510,241 25.58 Vested (337,061 ) 22.01 Forfeited (10,656 ) 24.15 Non-vested at end of period 1,101,319 $ 23.88

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per common share: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Numerator: Net income attributable to NGHC $ 77,876 $ 44,548 $ 169,634 $ 112,756 Preferred stock dividends - nonconvertible (7,875 ) (7,875 ) (15,750 ) (15,750 ) Preferred stock dividends - convertible (1,050 ) — (1,050 ) — Numerator for basic EPS 68,951 36,673 152,834 97,006 Effect of dilutive securities: Preferred stock dividends - convertible 1,050 — 1,050 — Numerator for diluted EPS - after assumed conversions $ 70,001 $ 36,673 $ 153,884 $ 97,006 Denominator: Denominator for basic EPS - weighted-average shares outstanding 113,178,552 106,969,134 113,097,084 106,864,469 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee stock options 1,882,001 2,117,842 1,910,829 2,037,772 RSUs 200,241 315,489 265,335 278,800 Convertible preferred stock 789,473 — 789,473 — Dilutive potential common shares 2,871,715 2,433,331 2,965,637 2,316,572 Denominator for diluted EPS - weighted-average shares outstanding and assumed conversions 116,050,267 109,402,465 116,062,721 109,181,041 Basic EPS $ 0.61 $ 0.34 $ 1.35 $ 0.91 Diluted EPS $ 0.60 $ 0.34 $ 1.33 $ 0.89

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information by Segment	The following tables summarize the results of operations of the operating segments: Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenues: Gross premium written $ 1,142,236 $ 171,672 $ — $ 1,313,908 Ceded premiums (299,545 ) (18,965 ) — (318,510 ) Net premium written 842,691 152,707 — 995,398 Change in unearned premium 21,911 13,342 — 35,253 Net earned premium 864,602 166,049 — 1,030,651 Ceding commission income 56,264 3,928 — 60,192 Service and fee income 95,971 52,937 — 148,908 Total underwriting revenues 1,016,837 222,914 — 1,239,751 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 629,211 86,324 — 715,535 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 146,125 48,001 — 194,126 General and administrative expenses 186,475 61,292 — 247,767 Total underwriting expenses 961,811 195,617 — 1,157,428 Underwriting income 55,026 27,297 — 82,323 Net investment income — — 35,131 35,131 Net loss on investments — — (5,230 ) (5,230 ) Interest expense — — (12,925 ) (12,925 ) Provision for income taxes — — (22,241 ) (22,241 ) Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest — — 818 818 Net income attributable to NGHC $ 55,026 $ 27,297 $ (4,447 ) $ 77,876 Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 Property Accident Corporate Total Underwriting revenues: Gross premium written $ 1,183,613 $ 156,836 $ — $ 1,340,449 Ceded premiums (432,896 ) (17,578 ) — (450,474 ) Net premium written 750,717 139,258 — 889,975 Change in unearned premium 36,020 16,911 — 52,931 Net earned premium 786,737 156,169 — 942,906 Ceding commission income 55,146 262 — 55,408 Service and fee income 87,560 42,941 — 130,501 Total underwriting revenues 929,443 199,372 — 1,128,815 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 581,894 88,434 — 670,328 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 133,743 48,117 — 181,860 General and administrative expenses 177,297 47,132 — 224,429 Total underwriting expenses 892,934 183,683 — 1,076,617 Underwriting income 36,509 15,689 — 52,198 Net investment income — — 25,995 25,995 Net loss on investments — — (19,704 ) (19,704 ) Interest expense — — (15,038 ) (15,038 ) Provision for income taxes — — (6,541 ) (6,541 ) Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest — — 7,638 7,638 Net income attributable to NGHC $ 36,509 $ 15,689 $ (7,650 ) $ 44,548 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Underwriting revenues: Gross premium written $ 2,393,470 $ 430,216 $ — $ 2,823,686 Ceded premiums (586,296 ) (77,328 ) — (663,624 ) Net premium written 1,807,174 352,888 — 2,160,062 Change in unearned premium (139,995 ) (25,259 ) — (165,254 ) Net earned premium 1,667,179 327,629 — 1,994,808 Ceding commission income 123,207 6,519 — 129,726 Service and fee income 200,466 113,949 — 314,415 Total underwriting revenues 1,990,852 448,097 — 2,438,949 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 1,196,271 171,073 — 1,367,344 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 300,195 105,849 — 406,044 General and administrative expenses 375,931 119,930 — 495,861 Total underwriting expenses 1,872,397 396,852 — 2,269,249 Underwriting income 118,455 51,245 — 169,700 Net investment income — — 68,576 68,576 Net loss on investments — — (5,208 ) (5,208 ) Interest expense — — (25,924 ) (25,924 ) Provision for income taxes — — (44,747 ) (44,747 ) Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest — — 7,237 7,237 Net income attributable to NGHC $ 118,455 $ 51,245 $ (66 ) $ 169,634 Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 Property Accident Corporate Total Underwriting revenues: Gross premium written $ 2,382,967 $ 390,612 $ — $ 2,773,579 Ceded premiums (748,960 ) (28,001 ) — (776,961 ) Net premium written 1,634,007 362,611 — 1,996,618 Change in unearned premium (95,608 ) (52,566 ) — (148,174 ) Net earned premium 1,538,399 310,045 — 1,848,444 Ceding commission income 99,356 520 — 99,876 Service and fee income 184,495 88,128 — 272,623 Total underwriting revenues 1,822,250 398,693 — 2,220,943 Underwriting expenses: Loss and loss adjustment expense 1,124,782 179,712 — 1,304,494 Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses 258,845 91,725 — 350,570 General and administrative expenses 357,694 97,740 — 455,434 Total underwriting expenses 1,741,321 369,177 — 2,110,498 Underwriting income 80,929 29,516 — 110,445 Net investment income — — 51,006 51,006 Net loss on investments — — (19,586 ) (19,586 ) Interest expense — — (26,192 ) (26,192 ) Provision for income taxes — — (22,743 ) (22,743 ) Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest — — 19,826 19,826 Net income attributable to NGHC $ 80,929 $ 29,516 $ 2,311 $ 112,756 The following tables summarize the financial position of the operating segments: June 30, 2019 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Premiums and other receivables, net $ 1,336,158 $ 196,232 $ 390 $ 1,532,780 Deferred acquisition costs 238,227 32,157 — 270,384 Reinsurance recoverable 1,402,613 40,627 — 1,443,240 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 585,249 24,121 — 609,370 Intangible assets, net and Goodwill 439,158 113,272 — 552,430 Prepaid and other assets 23,041 16,294 60 39,395 Corporate and other assets — — 5,219,057 5,219,057 Total assets $ 4,024,446 $ 422,703 $ 5,219,507 $ 9,666,656 December 31, 2018 Property and Casualty Accident and Health Corporate and Other Total Premiums and other receivables, net $ 1,245,530 $ 153,896 $ 386 $ 1,399,812 Deferred acquisition costs 226,188 25,220 — 251,408 Reinsurance recoverable 1,585,008 26,730 — 1,611,738 Prepaid reinsurance premiums 665,660 14 — 665,674 Intangible assets, net and Goodwill 443,163 116,957 — 560,120 Prepaid and other assets 20,941 22,472 111,545 154,958 Corporate and other assets — — 4,795,570 4,795,570 Total assets $ 4,186,490 $ 345,289 $ 4,907,501 $ 9,439,280
Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas	The following tables show an analysis of the premiums by geographical location: Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 NGHC Reciprocal Total NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross premium written - North America $ 1,178,927 $ 121,146 $ 1,300,073 $ 1,203,330 $ 117,981 $ 1,321,311 Gross premium written - Europe 13,835 — 13,835 19,138 — 19,138 Total $ 1,192,762 $ 121,146 $ 1,313,908 $ 1,222,468 $ 117,981 $ 1,340,449 Net premium written - North America $ 927,083 $ 56,220 $ 983,303 $ 803,989 $ 66,848 $ 870,837 Net premium written - Europe 12,095 — 12,095 19,138 — 19,138 Total $ 939,178 $ 56,220 $ 995,398 $ 823,127 $ 66,848 $ 889,975 Net earned premium - North America $ 959,837 $ 46,630 $ 1,006,467 $ 855,930 $ 51,803 $ 907,733 Net earned premium - Europe 24,184 — 24,184 35,173 — 35,173 Total $ 984,021 $ 46,630 $ 1,030,651 $ 891,103 $ 51,803 $ 942,906 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 NGHC Reciprocal Total NGHC Reciprocal Total Gross premium written - North America $ 2,473,721 $ 226,715 $ 2,700,436 $ 2,436,102 $ 215,670 $ 2,651,772 Gross premium written - Europe 123,250 — 123,250 121,807 — 121,807 Total $ 2,596,971 $ 226,715 $ 2,823,686 $ 2,557,909 $ 215,670 $ 2,773,579 Net premium written - North America $ 1,980,684 $ 105,175 $ 2,085,859 $ 1,757,385 $ 117,426 $ 1,874,811 Net premium written - Europe 74,203 — 74,203 121,807 — 121,807 Total $ 2,054,887 $ 105,175 $ 2,160,062 $ 1,879,192 $ 117,426 $ 1,996,618 Net earned premium - North America $ 1,852,954 $ 92,288 $ 1,945,242 $ 1,681,042 $ 97,858 $ 1,778,900 Net earned premium - Europe 49,566 — 49,566 69,544 — 69,544 Total $ 1,902,520 $ 92,288 $ 1,994,808 $ 1,750,586 $ 97,858 $ 1,848,444
Revenue from External Customers by Product Type	The following tables summarize service and fee income by source within each operating segment: Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 Property Accident Total Property Accident Total Commission revenue $ 19,650 $ 15,973 $ 35,623 $ 21,434 $ 15,792 $ 37,226 Finance and processing fees 32,145 886 33,031 29,812 1,033 30,845 Installment fees 25,148 — 25,148 23,785 — 23,785 Group health administrative fees — 24,548 24,548 — 19,806 19,806 Late payment fees 8,517 90 8,607 8,638 25 8,663 Other service and fee income 10,511 11,440 21,951 3,891 6,285 10,176 Total $ 95,971 $ 52,937 $ 148,908 $ 87,560 $ 42,941 $ 130,501 NGHC $ 94,455 $ 52,937 $ 147,392 $ 87,115 $ 42,941 $ 130,056 Reciprocal Exchanges 1,516 — 1,516 445 — 445 Total $ 95,971 $ 52,937 $ 148,908 $ 87,560 $ 42,941 $ 130,501 Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 2018 Property Accident Total Property Accident Total Commission revenue $ 46,860 $ 40,744 $ 87,604 $ 43,143 $ 33,316 $ 76,459 Finance and processing fees 64,581 2,910 67,491 61,872 2,288 64,160 Installment fees 49,318 — 49,318 45,087 — 45,087 Group health administrative fees — 48,053 48,053 — 39,097 39,097 Late payment fees 16,810 177 16,987 16,196 50 16,246 Other service and fee income 22,897 22,065 44,962 18,197 13,377 31,574 Total $ 200,466 $ 113,949 $ 314,415 $ 184,495 $ 88,128 $ 272,623 NGHC $ 197,580 $ 113,949 $ 311,529 $ 181,604 $ 88,128 $ 269,732 Reciprocal Exchanges 2,886 — 2,886 2,891 — 2,891 Total $ 200,466 $ 113,949 $ 314,415 $ 184,495 $ 88,128 $ 272,623 The following tables show an analysis of premiums and fee income by product line: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Gross Premium Written 2019 2018 2019 2018 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 611,312 $ 632,225 $ 1,377,993 $ 1,356,870 Homeowners 190,037 190,706 342,079 330,959 RV/Packaged 61,314 59,999 113,165 109,463 Small Business Auto 83,829 84,986 169,707 171,230 Lender-placed Insurance 58,859 80,599 134,797 165,533 Other 15,739 17,117 29,014 33,242 Total Property and Casualty 1,021,090 1,065,632 2,166,755 2,167,297 Accident and Health Group 75,036 59,233 139,974 115,293 Individual 82,799 78,464 166,991 153,512 International 13,837 19,139 123,251 121,807 Total Accident and Health 171,672 156,836 430,216 390,612 Total NGHC $ 1,192,762 $ 1,222,468 $ 2,596,971 $ 2,557,909 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 43,984 $ 42,065 $ 80,846 $ 76,362 Homeowners 76,140 74,895 143,940 137,416 Other 1,022 1,021 1,929 1,892 Total Reciprocal Exchanges $ 121,146 $ 117,981 $ 226,715 $ 215,670 Total Gross Premium Written $ 1,313,908 $ 1,340,449 $ 2,823,686 $ 2,773,579 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Net Premium Written 2019 2018 2019 2018 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 511,952 $ 485,724 $ 1,170,872 $ 1,039,721 Homeowners 108,404 50,304 193,649 142,900 RV/Packaged 58,167 59,118 109,764 108,307 Small Business Auto 65,420 63,432 139,606 128,159 Lender-placed Insurance 37,214 14,887 79,284 78,101 Other 5,314 10,404 8,824 19,393 Total Property and Casualty 786,471 683,869 1,701,999 1,516,581 Accident and Health Group 57,960 48,827 111,910 94,464 Individual 82,652 78,464 166,775 153,512 International 12,095 11,967 74,203 114,635 Total Accident and Health 152,707 139,258 352,888 362,611 Total NGHC $ 939,178 $ 823,127 $ 2,054,887 $ 1,879,192 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 18,661 $ 14,520 $ 34,306 $ 28,015 Homeowners 37,211 52,016 70,227 88,824 Other 348 312 642 587 Total Reciprocal Exchanges $ 56,220 $ 66,848 $ 105,175 $ 117,426 Total Net Premium Written $ 995,398 $ 889,975 $ 2,160,062 $ 1,996,618 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Net Earned Premium 2019 2018 2019 2018 Property and Casualty Personal Auto $ 542,834 $ 486,438 $ 1,053,388 $ 940,654 Homeowners 102,008 79,658 186,066 161,853 RV/Packaged 49,411 48,993 99,716 94,682 Small Business Auto 60,059 60,104 127,692 118,666 Lender-placed Insurance 60,278 53,694 101,996 114,163 Other 3,382 6,047 6,033 10,523 Total Property and Casualty 817,972 734,934 1,574,891 1,440,541 Accident and Health Group 57,949 48,839 111,912 94,478 Individual 83,916 79,329 166,151 153,195 International 24,184 28,001 49,566 62,372 Total Accident and Health 166,049 156,169 327,629 310,045 NGHC Total $ 984,021 $ 891,103 $ 1,902,520 $ 1,750,586 Reciprocal Exchanges Personal Auto $ 16,093 $ 12,462 $ 31,954 $ 25,459 Homeowners 30,225 39,109 59,716 71,880 Other 312 232 618 519 Total Reciprocal Exchanges 46,630 51,803 92,288 97,858 Total Net Earned Premium $ 1,030,651 $ 942,906 $ 1,994,808 $ 1,848,444 Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, Fee Income 2019 2018 2019 2018 Property and Casualty Service and Fee Income $ 94,455 $ 87,115 $ 197,580 $ 181,604 Ceding Commission Income 39,418 41,720 87,827 74,420 Total Property and Casualty 133,873 128,835 285,407 256,024 Accident and Health Service and Fee Income Group 32,862 24,756 63,236 49,570 Individual 1,242 2,164 3,378 3,461 Third Party Fee 18,833 16,021 47,335 35,097 Total Service and Fee Income 52,937 42,941 113,949 88,128 Ceding Commission Income 3,928 262 6,519 520 Total Accident and Health 56,865 43,203 120,468 88,648 NGHC Total $ 190,738 $ 172,038 $ 405,875 $ 344,672 Reciprocal Exchanges Service and Fee Income $ 1,516 $ 445 $ 2,886 $ 2,891 Ceding Commission Income 16,846 13,426 35,380 24,936 Total Reciprocal Exchanges $ 18,362 $ 13,871 $ 38,266 $ 27,827 Total Fee Income $ 209,100 $ 185,909 $ 444,141 $ 372,499

Basis of Reporting (Details)

Basis of Reporting (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Adoption of Leases Topic 842
Other liabilities	$ 342,468	$ 240,404
Debt | Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
Adoption of Leases Topic 842
Other liabilities		$ 30,346

Recent Accounting Pronounceme_4

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019
Adoption of Leases Topic 842
Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 128,208
Lease Liability	$ 134,992
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02
Adoption of Leases Topic 842
Lease, Right-of-Use Asset		$ 85,000
Lease Liability		$ 85,000

Investments - Available-for-Sal

Investments - Available-for-Sale Debt Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	$ 3,925,044	$ 3,614,609
Gross Unrealized Gains
Total	112,187	11,781
Total	(8,724)	(65,358)
Fair Value
Debt securities, available-for-sale	4,028,507	3,561,032
Fair Value	4,028,507	3,561,032
Other-than-temporary impairments recognized in AOCI	0	0
Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	299,085	302,970
Gross Unrealized Gains
Total	5,454	575
Total	(189)	(6,462)
Fair Value
Debt securities, available-for-sale	304,350	297,083
Fair Value	304,350	297,083
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	3,625,959	3,311,639
Gross Unrealized Gains
Total	106,733	11,206
Total	(8,535)	(58,896)
Fair Value
Fair Value	3,724,157	3,263,949
U.S. Treasury
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Debt Securities	58,237	64,829
Gross Unrealized Gains
Debt Securities	1,973	1,026
Debt Securities	(62)	(262)
Fair Value
Debt securities, available-for-sale	60,148	65,593
U.S. Treasury | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	12,867	12,707
Fair Value
Fair Value	13,359	12,834
U.S. Treasury | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Total	45,370	52,122
Fair Value
Fair Value	46,789	52,759
Federal agencies
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Debt Securities	24,060	37,842
Gross Unrealized Gains
Debt Securities	38	22
Debt Securities	(1)	(389)
Fair Value
Debt securities, available-for-sale	24,097	37,475
States and political subdivision bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Debt Securities	252,345	274,367
Gross Unrealized Gains
Debt Securities	5,626	1,369
Debt Securities	(62)	(3,539)
Fair Value
Debt securities, available-for-sale	257,909	272,197
Foreign government
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Debt Securities	147,834	151,443
Gross Unrealized Gains
Debt Securities	5,121	993
Debt Securities	0	(70)
Fair Value
Debt securities, available-for-sale	152,955	152,366
Corporate bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Debt Securities	1,599,222	1,283,061
Gross Unrealized Gains
Debt Securities	57,176	3,094
Debt Securities	(2,192)	(25,450)
Fair Value
Debt securities, available-for-sale	1,654,206	1,260,705
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Debt Securities	970,968	944,365
Gross Unrealized Gains
Debt Securities	13,314	716
Debt Securities	(2,113)	(19,965)
Fair Value
Debt securities, available-for-sale	982,169	925,116
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Debt Securities	577,700	548,192
Gross Unrealized Gains
Debt Securities	27,443	3,757
Debt Securities	(518)	(6,974)
Fair Value
Debt securities, available-for-sale	604,625	544,975
Asset-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Debt Securities	56,236	60,563
Gross Unrealized Gains
Debt Securities	1,284	705
Debt Securities	(31)	(121)
Fair Value
Debt securities, available-for-sale	57,489	61,147
Structured securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Debt Securities	238,442	249,947
Gross Unrealized Gains
Debt Securities	212	99
Debt Securities	(3,745)	(8,588)
Fair Value
Debt securities, available-for-sale	$ 234,909	$ 241,458

Investments - Available-for-S_2

Investments - Available-for-Sale Debt Securities by Contractual Maturity (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)
Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	$ 46,446
Due after one year through five years	1,054,226
Due after five years through ten years	964,436
Due after ten years	255,032
Mortgage-backed securities	1,604,904
Debt Securities	3,925,044
Fair Value
Due in one year or less	46,584
Due after one year through five years	1,078,460
Due after five years through ten years	1,001,982
Due after ten years	257,198
Mortgage-backed securities	1,644,283
Debt Securities	4,028,507
Reciprocal Exchanges
Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	4,116
Due after one year through five years	154,099
Due after five years through ten years	40,815
Due after ten years	13,095
Mortgage-backed securities	86,960
Debt Securities	299,085
Fair Value
Due in one year or less	4,224
Due after one year through five years	155,874
Due after five years through ten years	42,330
Due after ten years	13,261
Mortgage-backed securities	88,661
Debt Securities	304,350
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Amortized Cost
Due in one year or less	42,330
Due after one year through five years	900,127
Due after five years through ten years	923,621
Due after ten years	241,937
Mortgage-backed securities	1,517,944
Debt Securities	3,625,959
Fair Value
Due in one year or less	42,360
Due after one year through five years	922,586
Due after five years through ten years	959,652
Due after ten years	243,937
Mortgage-backed securities	1,555,622
Debt Securities	$ 3,724,157

Investments - Gross Unrealized

Investments - Gross Unrealized Losses (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)security	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)security
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	$ 319,918	$ 1,209,157
12 Months or More	323,305	1,171,891
Total	643,223	2,381,048
Less Than 12 Months	(1,892)	(24,306)
12 Months or More	(6,832)	(41,052)
Total	$ (8,724)	$ (65,358)
Number of securities with gross unrealized loss | security	351	1,662
25% of amortized cost or cost	25.00%	25.00%
Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	$ 6,041	$ 93,334
12 Months or More	20,492	152,916
Total	26,533	246,250
Less Than 12 Months	(28)	(1,638)
12 Months or More	(161)	(4,824)
Total	(189)	(6,462)
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	313,877	1,115,823
12 Months or More	302,813	1,018,975
Total	616,690	2,134,798
Less Than 12 Months	(1,864)	(22,668)
12 Months or More	(6,671)	(36,228)
Total	(8,535)	(58,896)
U.S. Treasury
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	10,988	474
12 Months or More	17,908	21,540
Total	28,896	22,014
Less Than 12 Months	(6)	(2)
12 Months or More	(56)	(260)
Total	(62)	(262)
Federal agencies
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	0	23,729
12 Months or More	259	1,493
Total	259	25,222
Less Than 12 Months	0	(351)
12 Months or More	(1)	(38)
Total	(1)	(389)
States and political subdivision bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	2,929	57,090
12 Months or More	6,559	119,759
Total	9,488	176,849
Less Than 12 Months	(9)	(902)
12 Months or More	(53)	(2,637)
Total	(62)	(3,539)
Foreign government
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	500	45,748
12 Months or More	0	0
Total	500	45,748
Less Than 12 Months	0	(70)
12 Months or More	0	0
Total	0	(70)
Corporate bonds
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	18,179	586,359
12 Months or More	85,550	321,115
Total	103,729	907,474
Less Than 12 Months	(28)	(12,891)
12 Months or More	(2,164)	(12,559)
Total	(2,192)	(25,450)
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	146,074	234,396
12 Months or More	72,282	551,623
Total	218,356	786,019
Less Than 12 Months	(712)	(1,637)
12 Months or More	(1,401)	(18,328)
Total	(2,113)	(19,965)
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	56,841	13,229
12 Months or More	51,069	148,700
Total	107,910	161,929
Less Than 12 Months	(119)	(239)
12 Months or More	(399)	(6,735)
Total	(518)	(6,974)
Asset-backed securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	0	25,978
12 Months or More	1,714	1,494
Total	1,714	27,472
Less Than 12 Months	0	(78)
12 Months or More	(31)	(43)
Total	(31)	(121)
Structured securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Less Than 12 Months	84,407	222,154
12 Months or More	87,964	6,167
Total	172,371	228,321
Less Than 12 Months	(1,018)	(8,136)
12 Months or More	(2,727)	(452)
Total	$ (3,745)	$ (8,588)

Investments - Equity Securities

Investments - Equity Securities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Equity Securities
Equity securities	$ 4,968	$ 10,949
Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Equity Securities
Equity securities	0	0
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Equity Securities
Equity securities	4,968	10,949
Common stock
Schedule of Equity Securities
Equity securities	$ 4,968	$ 10,949

Investments - Investment Income

Investments - Investment Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Net Investment Income
Investment Income, Interest	$ 36,305	$ 27,748	$ 70,777	$ 54,167
Investment expenses	(1,174)	(1,753)	(2,201)	(3,161)
Net investment income	35,131	25,995	68,576	51,006
Reciprocal Exchanges
Net Investment Income
Net investment income	2,124	2,205	4,294	4,349
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Net Investment Income
Net investment income	33,007	23,790	64,282	46,657
Cash and short-term investments
Net Investment Income
Investment Income, Interest	847	142	2,344	329
Debt securities
Net Investment Income
Investment Income, Interest	30,725	25,570	60,192	49,826
Equity securities
Net Investment Income
Investment Income, Interest	1	204	3	359
Other, net
Net Investment Income
Other, net (related parties - three months - $1,919 and $340; six months - $2,173 and $45)	4,732	1,832	8,238	3,653
Other, net | Related Parties
Net Investment Income
Other, net (related parties - three months - $1,919 and $340; six months - $2,173 and $45)	$ 1,919	$ 340	$ 2,173	$ 45

Investments - Net Realized Gain

Investments - Net Realized Gains (Losses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Other, net	$ 18	$ 4,630	$ (876)	$ 5,798
Net loss on investments	(5,230)	(19,704)	(5,208)	(19,586)
Reciprocal Exchanges
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Net loss on investments	44	(968)	(700)	(1,099)
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Net loss on investments	(5,274)	(18,736)	(4,508)	(18,487)
Debt securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Debt securities, available-for-sale, gross gains	187	964	323	2,088
Debt securities, available-for-sale, gross losses	(118)	(20,519)	(374)	(21,645)
Net realized gain (loss) on debt securities, available-for-sale	69	(19,555)	(51)	(19,557)
Equity securities
Gain (Loss) on Investments
Equity securities	(5,317)	(4,779)	(4,281)	(5,827)
Less: Net gains (losses) recognized during the period on securities sold during the period	0	(108)	0	(108)
Net gains (losses) recognized during the reporting period on securities still held at the reporting date	$ (5,317)	$ (4,671)	$ (4,281)	$ (5,719)

Investments - Credit Quality of

Investments - Credit Quality of Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 3,925,044	$ 3,614,609
Fair Value	4,028,507	3,561,032
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	3,625,959	3,311,639
Fair Value	3,724,157	3,263,949
Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	299,085	302,970
Fair Value	304,350	297,083
Debt securities | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	3,625,959	3,311,639
Fair Value	$ 3,724,157	$ 3,263,949
Percentage	100.00%	100.00%
Debt securities | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 299,085	$ 302,970
Fair Value	$ 304,350	$ 297,083
Percentage	100.00%	100.00%
U.S. Treasury | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 45,370	$ 52,122
Fair Value	$ 46,789	$ 52,759
Percentage	1.30%	1.60%
U.S. Treasury | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 12,867	$ 12,707
Fair Value	$ 13,359	$ 12,834
Percentage	4.40%	4.30%
Debt Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 608,213	$ 586,639
Fair Value	$ 635,346	$ 589,078
Percentage	17.10%	18.00%
Debt Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 20,230	$ 18,335
Fair Value	$ 20,774	$ 18,109
Percentage	6.80%	6.10%
Debt Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 1,390,221	$ 1,385,709
Fair Value	$ 1,411,057	$ 1,358,528
Percentage	37.80%	41.60%
Debt Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 129,362	$ 142,525
Fair Value	$ 131,073	$ 140,114
Percentage	43.10%	47.20%
Debt Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 724,652	$ 591,219
Fair Value	$ 746,552	$ 581,106
Percentage	20.00%	17.80%
Debt Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 125,759	$ 118,535
Fair Value	$ 128,269	$ 115,618
Percentage	42.10%	38.90%
Debt Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 799,592	$ 653,645
Fair Value	$ 825,916	$ 641,554
Percentage	22.20%	19.70%
Debt Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 10,835	$ 10,834
Fair Value	$ 10,843	$ 10,374
Percentage	3.60%	3.50%
Debt Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 57,911	$ 42,305
Fair Value	$ 58,497	$ 40,924
Percentage	1.60%	1.30%
Debt Securities, Excluding US Treasury Securities | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	$ 32	$ 34
Fair Value	$ 32	$ 34
Percentage	0.00%	0.00%

Investments - Investment Qualit

Investments - Investment Quality of Corporate Bonds (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Fair Value	$ 4,028,507	$ 3,561,032
Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Fair Value	304,350	297,083
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Fair Value	3,724,157	3,263,949
Corporate Debt Securities
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Fair Value	$ 1,654,206	$ 1,260,705
% of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	100.00%	100.00%
Corporate Debt Securities | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Fair Value	$ 184,922	$ 181,606
% of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	11.20%	14.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Fair Value	$ 1,469,284	$ 1,079,099
% of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	88.80%	85.60%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.30%	0.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.30%	0.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.00%	0.00%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	8.10%	10.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	2.60%	4.10%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	5.50%	6.30%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	46.00%	46.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	7.70%	9.10%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	38.30%	37.30%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	44.70%	41.30%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.60%	0.70%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	44.10%	40.60%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.90%	1.50%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating | Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.00%	0.10%
Corporate Debt Securities | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.90%	1.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Fair Value	$ 710,473	$ 535,373
% of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	42.90%	42.50%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.00%	0.00%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	3.70%	4.30%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	25.00%	23.10%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	13.80%	14.20%
Corporate Debt Securities | Financial Institutions | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.40%	0.90%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Fair Value	$ 894,880	$ 697,324
% of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	54.10%	55.30%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.30%	0.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	4.40%	6.10%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	19.70%	21.50%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	29.20%	26.70%
Corporate Debt Securities | Industrials | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.50%	0.60%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Fair Value	$ 48,853	$ 28,008
% of Corporate Bonds Portfolio	3.00%	2.20%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other | Standard & Poor's, AAA Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.00%	0.00%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other | Standard & Poor's, AA, AA Plus, and AA Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.00%	0.00%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other | Standard & Poor's, A, A Plus, and A Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	1.30%	1.80%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other | Standard & Poor's, BBB, BBB Plus, and BBB Minus Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	1.70%	0.40%
Corporate Debt Securities | Utilities And Other | Standard & Poor's, BB Plus and Lower Rating
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities
Investment quality - corporate bond holdings and industry concentrations	0.00%	0.00%

Investments - Cash and Cash Equ

Investments - Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 211,597	$ 193,858
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	32,743	39,725
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	244,340	233,583	$ 401,328	$ 357,484
Securities on deposit with state regulatory authorities	79,814	73,119
Restricted investments to trusts in certain reinsurance transactions	58,653	70,470
Total restricted investments	$ 138,467	$ 143,589

Investments - Short-term and Ot

Investments - Short-term and Other Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Investment
Other investments	$ 303,980	$ 306,276
Related Parties
Investment
Other investments	235,141	233,723
Equity method investments (related parties - $106,683 and $106,031)
Investment
Other investments	141,675	142,921
Equity method investments (related parties - $106,683 and $106,031) | Related Parties
Investment
Other investments	106,683	106,031
Notes receivable (related parties - $128,458 and $127,692)
Investment
Other investments	129,313	128,893
Notes receivable (related parties - $128,458 and $127,692) | Related Parties
Investment
Other investments	128,458	127,692
Long-term Certificates of Deposit (CDs), at cost
Investment
Other investments	20,150	20,252
Investments, at fair value
Investment
Other investments	5,174	6,542
Investments, at cost or amortized cost
Investment
Other investments	$ 7,668	$ 7,668

Investments - Related Parties -

Investments - Related Parties - LSC Entity (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)contract	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)contract	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
LSC Entities | AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
LSC Entities | VIE, Not primary beneficiary | Related Parties
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Life Settlement Contracts, Investment Method, Number of Contracts | contract	1		1
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 50,055	$ 48,157	$ 50,055	$ 48,157	$ 48,324	$ 160,683
Distributions (three months - $0 and $9,000)	0	(9,000)	0	(116,035)
Contributions (three months - $0 and $0)	0	0	0	2,000
Equity in earnings (losses) (three months - $1,145 and $809)	$ 1,145	$ 809	1,731	1,509
Change in equity method investments			$ 1,731	$ (112,526)
LSC Entities investment in LP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	30.00%		30.00%

Investments - Related Parties_2

Investments - Related Parties - 800 Superior, LLC (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Related Parties | 800 Superior, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Rent expense	$ 742	$ 723	$ 1,484	$ 1,445
800 Superior, LLC | AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
800 Superior, LLC | VIE, Not primary beneficiary | Related Parties
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 792		$ 792		$ 816
Equity in earnings (losses)	$ 282	$ (192)	$ (24)	$ (1,262)

Investments - Related Parties_3

Investments - Related Parties - East Ninth & Superior (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
East Ninth & Superior, LLC | AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
East Ninth & Superior, LLC | VIE, Not primary beneficiary | Related Parties
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 4,349		$ 4,349		$ 4,309
Equity in earnings (losses)	$ 27	$ 19	$ 40	$ 35
Eight Hundred Superior NMTC investment Fund II | AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	24.50%		24.50%
Eight Hundred Superior NMTC investment Fund II | Related Parties
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	24.50%		24.50%

Investments - Related Parties_4

Investments - Related Parties - North Dearborn (Details) - North Dearborn Building Company, L.P. - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	45.00%		45.00%
NA Advisors GP LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	10.00%		10.00%
Limited Partnership, Percentage of Profit Interest	10.00%		10.00%
VIE, Not primary beneficiary | Related Parties
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	45.00%		45.00%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 5,878		$ 5,878		$ 6,214
Equity in earnings (losses)	(38)	$ (156)	(66)	$ (165)
Distributions	$ (270)	$ (1,125)	$ (270)	$ (1,125)

Investments - Related Parties_5

Investments - Related Parties - 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC (Details) - 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	50.00%		50.00%
Related Parties
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 921		$ 921		$ 793
Related Parties | 4455 LBJ Freeway, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Rent expense	$ 608	$ 550	$ 1,206	$ 1,124
VIE, Not primary beneficiary | Related Parties
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Equity in earnings (losses)	$ 105	$ (13)	$ 128	$ (11)

Investments - Related Parties_6

Investments - Related Parties - Illinois Center Building, L.P. (Details) - Illinois Center Building, L.P. - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
ACP Re Group, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	37.50%		37.50%
ACP Re
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	15.00%		15.00%
NA Advisors GP LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Limited Partnership, Percentage Participation	10.00%		10.00%
Limited Partnership, Percentage of Profit Interest	10.00%		10.00%
VIE, Not primary beneficiary | Related Parties
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Ownership percentage	37.50%		37.50%
Equity investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	$ 44,688		$ 44,688		$ 45,575
Equity in earnings (losses)	(790)	$ (1,301)	(2,012)	$ (2,410)
Contributions	$ 1,125	$ 2,250	$ 1,125	$ 2,250

Fair Value of Financial Instr_3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Assets Measured on Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	$ 4,028,507	$ 3,561,032
Equity securities, at fair value	4,968	10,949
Short-term investments	202,507	348,549
Other investments	303,980	306,276
Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	304,350	297,083
Equity securities, at fair value	0	0
Short-term investments	17,015	17,328
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, at fair value	4,968	10,949
Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	4,028,507	3,561,032
Equity securities, at fair value	4,968	10,949
Total	4,241,156	3,927,072
Recurring | Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total	321,365	314,411
Recurring | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total	3,919,791	3,612,661
Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	84,245	103,068
Equity securities, at fair value	3,963	9,898
Total	290,715	461,515
Level 1 | Recurring | Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total	30,875	32,013
Level 1 | Recurring | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total	259,840	429,502
Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	3,932,121	3,442,601
Equity securities, at fair value	0	0
Total	3,932,121	3,442,601
Level 2 | Recurring | Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total	290,490	282,398
Level 2 | Recurring | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total	3,641,631	3,160,203
Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	12,141	15,363
Equity securities, at fair value	1,005	1,051
Total	18,320	22,956
Level 3 | Recurring | Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total	0	0
Level 3 | Recurring | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Total	18,320	22,956
U.S. Treasury
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	60,148	65,593
U.S. Treasury | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	60,148	65,593
U.S. Treasury | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	60,148	65,593
U.S. Treasury | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
U.S. Treasury | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Federal agencies
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	24,097	37,475
Federal agencies | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	24,097	37,475
Federal agencies | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	24,097	37,475
Federal agencies | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Federal agencies | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
States and political subdivision bonds
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	257,909	272,197
States and political subdivision bonds | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	257,909	272,197
States and political subdivision bonds | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
States and political subdivision bonds | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	254,809	268,601
States and political subdivision bonds | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	3,100	3,596
Foreign government
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	152,955	152,366
Foreign government | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	152,955	152,366
Foreign government | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Foreign government | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	152,955	152,366
Foreign government | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Corporate bonds
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	1,654,206	1,260,705
Corporate bonds | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	1,654,206	1,260,705
Corporate bonds | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Corporate bonds | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	1,645,165	1,248,938
Corporate bonds | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	9,041	11,767
Residential mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	982,169	925,116
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	982,169	925,116
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	982,169	925,116
Residential mortgage-backed securities | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	604,625	544,975
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	604,625	544,975
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	604,625	544,975
Commercial mortgage-backed securities | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Asset-backed securities
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	57,489	61,147
Asset-backed securities | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	57,489	61,147
Asset-backed securities | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Asset-backed securities | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	57,489	61,147
Asset-backed securities | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Structured securities
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	234,909	241,458
Structured securities | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	234,909	241,458
Structured securities | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Structured securities | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	234,909	241,458
Structured securities | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Debt securities, available-for-sale	0	0
Common stock
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, at fair value	4,968	10,949
Common stock | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, at fair value	4,968	10,949
Common stock | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, at fair value	3,963	9,898
Common stock | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, at fair value	0	0
Common stock | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Equity securities, at fair value	1,005	1,051
Short-term investments | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Short-term investments	202,507	348,549
Short-term investments | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Short-term investments	202,507	348,549
Short-term investments | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Short-term investments	0	0
Short-term investments | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Short-term investments	0	0
Other investments | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Other investments	5,174	6,542
Other investments | Level 1 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Other investments	0	0
Other investments | Level 2 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Other investments	0	0
Other investments | Level 3 | Recurring
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Other investments	$ 5,174	$ 6,542

Fair Value of Financial Instr_4

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Balance as of	$ 22,956	$ 44,730
Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Total gains (losses) included in net income	(1,414)	(47)
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	(3,222)	(521)
Purchases	0	0
Sales	0	(1,178)
Balance as of	18,320	42,984
Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in net income for assets held at the end of the reporting period	(1,414)	(47)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in other comprehensive income for assets held at the end of the reporting period	(3,222)
States and political subdivision bonds
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Balance as of	3,596	4,081
Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Total gains (losses) included in net income	0	0
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	(496)	(484)
Purchases	0	0
Sales	0	0
Balance as of	3,100	3,597
Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in net income for assets held at the end of the reporting period	0	0
Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in other comprehensive income for assets held at the end of the reporting period	(496)
Corporate bonds
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Balance as of	11,767	24,545
Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Total gains (losses) included in net income	0	0
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	(2,726)	(37)
Purchases	0	0
Sales	0	0
Balance as of	9,041	24,508
Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in net income for assets held at the end of the reporting period	0	0
Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in other comprehensive income for assets held at the end of the reporting period	(2,726)
Common stock
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Balance as of	1,051	5,052
Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Total gains (losses) included in net income	(46)	(1,131)
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Purchases	0	0
Sales	0	0
Balance as of	1,005	3,921
Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in net income for assets held at the end of the reporting period	(46)	(1,131)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in other comprehensive income for assets held at the end of the reporting period	0
Preferred Stock
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Balance as of		270
Transfers into Level 3		0
Transfers out of Level 3		0
Total gains (losses) included in net income		9
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income		0
Purchases		0
Sales		0
Balance as of		279
Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in net income for assets held at the end of the reporting period		9
Other investments
Fair Value Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation
Balance as of	6,542	10,782
Transfers into Level 3	0	0
Transfers out of Level 3	0	0
Total gains (losses) included in net income	(1,368)	1,075
Total gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income	0	0
Purchases	0	0
Sales	0	(1,178)
Balance as of	5,174	10,679
Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in net income for assets held at the end of the reporting period	(1,368)	$ 1,075
Change in unrealized gains (losses) for the period included in other comprehensive income for assets held at the end of the reporting period	$ 0

Fair Value of Financial Instr_5

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	$ 708,657	$ 705,795
Senior Notes | 7.625% Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	96,885	96,842
Senior Notes | 7.625% Notes | Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Fair value estimates of debt	105,120	90,400
Senior Notes | 6.75% Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	346,762	346,439
Senior Notes | 6.75% Notes | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Fair value estimates of debt	366,036	353,756
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	72,168	72,168
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Fair value estimates of debt	72,122	72,109
Line of Credit | 2016 Credit Agreement
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	0	160,000
Line of Credit | 2016 Credit Agreement | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Fair value estimates of debt	0	163,222
Line of Credit | 2019 Credit Agreement
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt	160,000	0
Line of Credit | 2019 Credit Agreement | Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Fair value estimates of debt	$ 169,257	$ 0

Fair Value of Financial Instr_6

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details)	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Percentage of investments priced by service	100.00%	100.00%

Deferred Acquisition Costs (Det

Deferred Acquisition Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Balance, beginning of the period	$ 251,408	$ 216,389
Additions	296,447	272,636
Amortization	(277,471)	(245,292)
Change in DAC	18,976	27,344
Balance, end of the period	270,384	243,733
Reciprocal Exchanges
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Balance, end of the period	21,639	24,319
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Balance, end of the period	248,745	219,414
Property and Casualty
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Balance, beginning of the period	226,188	198,283
Additions	264,381	261,360
Amortization	(252,342)	(234,864)
Change in DAC	12,039	26,496
Balance, end of the period	238,227	224,779
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Balance, end of the period	21,639	24,319
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Balance, end of the period	216,588	200,460
Accident and Health
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Balance, beginning of the period	25,220	18,106
Additions	32,066	11,276
Amortization	(25,129)	(10,428)
Change in DAC	6,937	848
Balance, end of the period	32,157	18,954
Accident and Health | Reciprocal Exchanges
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Balance, end of the period	0	0
Accident and Health | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Movement Analysis of Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Balance, end of the period	$ 32,157	$ 18,954

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjust_3

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expense Reserves (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense
Gross balance at beginning of the period	$ 2,957,159	$ 2,663,557
Less: Reinsurance recoverable at beginning of the period	(1,285,142)	(1,129,743)
Net balance at beginning of the period	1,672,017	1,533,814
Current year	1,380,071	1,338,542
Prior year	(12,727)	(34,048)
Total incurred	1,367,344	1,304,494
Current year	(489,075)	(621,974)
Prior year	(834,689)	(638,604)
Total paid	(1,323,764)	(1,260,578)
Effect of foreign exchange rates	(3,338)	(8,978)
Net balance at end of the period	1,712,259	1,568,752
Plus: Reinsurance recoverable at end of the period	(1,174,981)	(1,158,737)
Gross balance at end of period	2,887,240	2,727,489
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense
Gross balance at beginning of the period	2,778,689	2,520,204
Less: Reinsurance recoverable at beginning of the period	(1,207,163)	(1,077,335)
Net balance at beginning of the period	1,571,526	1,442,869
Current year	1,304,135	1,250,260
Prior year	(14,105)	(31,975)
Total incurred	1,290,030	1,218,285
Current year	(449,811)	(572,467)
Prior year	(801,429)	(611,337)
Total paid	(1,251,240)	(1,183,804)
Effect of foreign exchange rates	(3,338)	(8,978)
Net balance at end of the period	1,606,978	1,468,372
Plus: Reinsurance recoverable at end of the period	(1,085,965)	(1,091,861)
Gross balance at end of period	2,692,943	2,560,233
Reciprocal Exchanges
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense
Gross balance at beginning of the period	178,470
Gross balance at end of period	194,297
Property and Casualty
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense
Prior year	6,260	(22,625)
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense
Gross balance at beginning of the period	2,507,409	2,270,551
Less: Reinsurance recoverable at beginning of the period	(1,182,588)	(1,067,495)
Net balance at beginning of the period	1,324,821	1,203,056
Current year	1,114,075	1,059,125
Prior year	4,882	(20,552)
Total incurred	1,118,957	1,038,573
Current year	(373,662)	(507,951)
Prior year	(712,961)	(517,629)
Total paid	(1,086,623)	(1,025,580)
Effect of foreign exchange rates	0	0
Net balance at end of the period	1,357,155	1,216,049
Plus: Reinsurance recoverable at end of the period	(1,050,771)	(1,078,726)
Gross balance at end of period	2,407,926	2,294,775
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense
Gross balance at beginning of the period	178,470	143,353
Less: Reinsurance recoverable at beginning of the period	(77,979)	(52,408)
Net balance at beginning of the period	100,491	90,945
Current year	75,936	88,282
Prior year	1,378	(2,073)
Total incurred	77,314	86,209
Current year	(39,264)	(49,507)
Prior year	(33,260)	(27,267)
Total paid	(72,524)	(76,774)
Effect of foreign exchange rates	0	0
Net balance at end of the period	105,281	100,380
Plus: Reinsurance recoverable at end of the period	(89,016)	(66,876)
Gross balance at end of period	194,297	167,256
Accident and Health | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Liability for Claims and Claims Adjustment Expense
Gross balance at beginning of the period	271,280	249,653
Less: Reinsurance recoverable at beginning of the period	(24,575)	(9,840)
Net balance at beginning of the period	246,705	239,813
Current year	190,060	191,135
Prior year	(18,987)	(11,423)
Total incurred	171,073	179,712
Current year	(76,149)	(64,516)
Prior year	(88,468)	(93,708)
Total paid	(164,617)	(158,224)
Effect of foreign exchange rates	(3,338)	(8,978)
Net balance at end of the period	249,823	252,323
Plus: Reinsurance recoverable at end of the period	(35,194)	(13,135)
Gross balance at end of period	$ 285,017	$ 265,458

Reinsurance - Effects of Reinsu

Reinsurance - Effects of Reinsurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Reinsurance Recoverables
Reinsurance recoverable on paid losses	$ 268,259		$ 268,259		$ 326,596
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses	1,174,981		1,174,981		1,285,142
Reinsurance recoverable	1,443,240		1,443,240		1,611,738
Reinsurance Liabilities
Unpaid Loss and LAE reserves, assumed	72,010		72,010		84,469
Unearned premiums, assumed	21,080		21,080		21,015
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	609,370		609,370		$ 665,674
Premiums:
Direct, Written	1,293,591	$ 1,310,908	2,782,779	$ 2,724,785
Assumed, Written	20,317	29,541	40,907	48,794
Gross premium written	1,313,908	1,340,449	2,823,686	2,773,579
Ceded premiums	(318,510)	(450,474)	(663,624)	(776,961)
Net premium written	995,398	889,975	2,160,062	1,996,618
Direct, Earned	1,356,695	1,256,277	2,672,400	2,447,604
Assumed, Earned	19,843	31,498	40,843	60,549
Premiums Earned, Gross	1,376,538	1,287,775	2,713,243	2,508,153
Ceded, Earned	(345,887)	(344,869)	(718,435)	(659,709)
Net earned premium	1,030,651	942,906	1,994,808	1,848,444
Loss and LAE expense:
Assumed Loss and LAE	11,324	10,329	16,646	9,008
Ceded Loss and LAE	$ 150,709	$ 225,234	$ 360,031	$ 422,551

Reinsurance - Narrative (Detail

Reinsurance - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 01, 2019	May 01, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Jul. 01, 2018	May 01, 2018	Jul. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2019
Personal Auto
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Reinsurance - Percentage of Business Ceded			7.00%			15.00%
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission						31.20%
Liability of the Reinsurer per Risk						$ 5,000
Liability of the Reinsurer per Event						$ 70,000
Homeowners
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Reinsurance - Percentage of Business Ceded					42.00%	29.60%
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission					38.00%	42.50%
Liability of the Reinsurer per Risk						$ 5,000
Liability of the Reinsurer per Event						$ 70,000
Reinsurance - Percentage of Business Ceded, Additional					12.40%
Property Catastrophe Program
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Amount of coverage in excess of retention		$ 650,000			$ 575,000
Retention amount					$ 70,000
Casualty Program
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Amount of coverage in excess of retention				$ 35,000
Retention amount				5,000
Minimum | Personal Auto
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission						29.60%
Loss Ratio						63.40%
Maximum | Personal Auto
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission						32.80%
Loss Ratio						66.60%
Reciprocal Exchanges | Property Catastrophe Program
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Amount of coverage in excess of retention				475,000
Retention amount				$ 20,000
Subsequent Event | Personal Auto
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Reinsurance - Percentage of Business Ceded	10.00%
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission	31.20%
Subsequent Event | Homeowners
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Reinsurance - Percentage of Business Ceded	40.00%
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission	36.00%
Subsequent Event | Minimum | Personal Auto
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission	30.00%						5.00%
Loss Ratio	64.70%
Subsequent Event | Maximum | Personal Auto
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission	32.80%						30.00%
Loss Ratio	67.50%
Subsequent Event | Weighted Average | Homeowners
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Reinsurance percentage of ceding commission	37.50%
Subsequent Event | Reciprocal Exchanges | Property Catastrophe Program
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Amount of coverage in excess of retention	$ 480,000
Retention amount	$ 20,000
First Event | Property Catastrophe Program
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Retention amount		70,000
Second Event | Property Catastrophe Program
Reinsurance Retention Policy
Retention amount		$ 50,000

Debt - Debt Instruments (Detail

Debt - Debt Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument
Notes Payable	$ 708,657		$ 705,795
Finance lease liabilities	20,383		14,824
Unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized discount	$ (6,353)		(6,719)
Senior Notes | 6.75% Notes
Debt Instrument
Interest rate on debt	6.75%
Notes Payable	$ 350,000		350,000
Senior Notes | 7.625% Notes
Debt Instrument
Interest rate on debt	7.625%
Notes Payable	$ 100,000		100,000
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures I
Debt Instrument
Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.40%
Notes Payable	$ 41,238		41,238
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures I | LIBOR
Debt Instrument
LIBOR	LIBOR
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures II
Debt Instrument
Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4.25%
Notes Payable	$ 30,930		30,930
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures II | LIBOR
Debt Instrument
LIBOR	LIBOR
Other | Other
Debt Instrument
Interest rate on debt	3.50%
Notes Payable	$ 12,459		15,522
2016 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument
Notes Payable	0		160,000
2019 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument
Notes Payable	$ 160,000		$ 0
JPMorgan Chase, N.A. | 2016 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument
Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.00%
Interest rate on Credit Agreement			4.58%
JPMorgan Chase, N.A. | 2016 Credit Agreement | LIBOR
Debt Instrument
LIBOR		LIBOR
JPMorgan Chase, N.A. | 2019 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument
Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
Interest rate on Credit Agreement	4.21%
JPMorgan Chase, N.A. | 2019 Credit Agreement | LIBOR
Debt Instrument
LIBOR	LIBO
Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%

Debt - Interest Expense (Detail

Debt - Interest Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument
Interest Expense, Debt	$ 12,925	$ 15,038	$ 25,924	$ 26,192
Finance lease liabilities
Debt Instrument
Interest Expense, Debt	292	156	586	320
Other
Debt Instrument
Interest Expense, Debt	1,813	3,905	3,803	4,413
Senior Notes | 6.75% Notes
Debt Instrument
Interest Expense, Debt	5,907	5,907	11,813	11,813
Senior Notes | 7.625% Notes
Debt Instrument
Interest Expense, Debt	1,907	1,907	3,813	3,813
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures
Debt Instrument
Interest Expense, Debt	1,189	1,097	2,352	2,083
2016 Credit Agreement | JPMorgan Chase, N.A.
Debt Instrument
Interest Expense, Debt	0	2,066	1,211	3,750
2019 Credit Agreement | JPMorgan Chase, N.A.
Debt Instrument
Interest Expense, Debt	$ 1,817	$ 0	$ 2,346	$ 0

Debt - Senior Notes (Details)

Debt - Senior Notes (Details) - Senior Notes	Jun. 30, 2019
6.75% Notes
Debt Instrument
Interest rate on debt	6.75%
7.625% Notes
Debt Instrument
Interest rate on debt	7.625%

Debt - Subordinated Debentures

Debt - Subordinated Debentures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument
Notes Payable	$ 708,657	$ 705,795
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures I
Debt Instrument
Notes Payable	$ 41,238	41,238
Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.40%
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures II
Debt Instrument
Notes Payable	$ 30,930	$ 30,930
Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4.25%
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%
LIBOR | Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures I
Debt Instrument
LIBOR	LIBOR
LIBOR | Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures II
Debt Instrument
LIBOR	LIBOR

Debt - Credit Agreement (Detail

Debt - Credit Agreement (Details) - 2019 Credit Agreement - JPMorgan Chase, N.A. $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)
Debt Instrument
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Amount Outstanding During Period	$ 340,000
Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.75%
Letter Of Credit Fronting Fee	0.125%
Line of Credit Facility, Leverage Ratio	0.225%
LIBOR
Debt Instrument
federal funds	LIBO
Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
Federal Funds Purchased
Debt Instrument
federal funds	federal funds
Alternate Base Rate Or LIBOR
Debt Instrument
Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Minimum
Debt Instrument
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 150,000
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.175%
Maximum
Debt Instrument
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	$ 50,000
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.25%

Debt - Debt Maturities (Details

Debt - Debt Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument
2019 (remaining six months)	$ 6,299
2020	12,408
2021	6,784
2022	2,218
2023	161,334
2024	351,242
Thereafter	174,725
Total principal amount of debt	715,010
Unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized discount	(6,353)	$ (6,719)
Carrying amount of debt	708,657	705,795
Senior Notes | 6.75% Notes
Debt Instrument
2019 (remaining six months)	0
2020	0
2021	0
2022	0
2023	0
2024	350,000
Thereafter	0
Total principal amount of debt	350,000
Carrying amount of debt	346,762	346,439
Senior Notes | 7.625% Notes
Debt Instrument
2019 (remaining six months)	0
2020	0
2021	0
2022	0
2023	0
2024	0
Thereafter	100,000
Total principal amount of debt	100,000
Carrying amount of debt	96,885	$ 96,842
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures I
Debt Instrument
2019 (remaining six months)	0
2020	0
2021	0
2022	0
2023	0
2024	0
Thereafter	41,238
Total principal amount of debt	41,238
Surplus Notes | Subordinated Debentures II
Debt Instrument
2019 (remaining six months)	0
2020	0
2021	0
2022	0
2023	0
2024	0
Thereafter	30,930
Total principal amount of debt	30,930
Finance lease liabilities | Finance lease liabilities
Debt Instrument
2019 (remaining six months)	3,182
2020	6,009
2021	3,841
2022	2,218
2023	1,334
2024	1,242
Thereafter	2,557
Total principal amount of debt	20,383
Other | Other
Debt Instrument
2019 (remaining six months)	3,117
2020	6,399
2021	2,943
2022	0
2023	0
2024	0
Thereafter	0
Total principal amount of debt	12,459
JPMorgan Chase, N.A. | 2019 Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument
2019 (remaining six months)	0
2020	0
2021	0
2022	0
2023	160,000
2024	0
Thereafter	0
Total principal amount of debt	$ 160,000

Debt - Covenants and Compliance

Debt - Covenants and Compliance (Details) - Senior Notes	Jun. 30, 2019
Indenture Excess Leverage Ratio | Minimum
Debt Instrument
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital	0.35
Indenture Excess Leverage Ratio | Maximum
Debt Instrument
Ratio of Indebtedness to Net Capital	1
6.75% Notes
Debt Instrument
Interest rate on debt	6.75%
7.625% Notes
Debt Instrument
Interest rate on debt	7.625%

Leases - Lease Assets and Liabi

Leases - Lease Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Lessee, Lease, Description
Finance lease asset	$ 22,344
Operating	105,864
Total lease assets	128,208
Finance lease liabilities	20,383	$ 14,824
Operating	114,609
Total lease liabilities	134,992
Buildings and improvements
Lessee, Lease, Description
Finance lease asset	9,905
Accumulated amortization	1,422
Vehicles
Lessee, Lease, Description
Finance lease asset	7,185
Accumulated amortization	4,844
Hardware, software and other equipment
Lessee, Lease, Description
Finance lease asset	5,254
Accumulated amortization	7,193
Operating lease assets
Lessee, Lease, Description
Accumulated amortization	$ 12,614

Leases - Lease Cost (Details)

Leases - Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019
Lease, Cost [Abstract]
Amortization of leased assets	$ 1,865	$ 3,623
Interest on lease liabilities	292	586
Finance lease cost	2,157	4,209
Operating lease cost	$ 8,926	$ 17,744

Leases - Maturity of Lease Liab

Leases - Maturity of Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating Lease Liabilities, Payments Due
2019 (remaining six months)	$ 15,910
2020	27,183
2021	21,550
2022	17,164
2023	14,548
2024	11,884
Thereafter	27,932
Total lease payments	136,171
Less: Interest	(21,562)
Present value of lease liabilities	114,609
Finance Lease Liabilities, Payments Due
2019 (remaining six months)	3,626
2020	6,709
2021	4,314
2022	2,560
2023	1,589
2024	1,428
Thereafter	2,847
Total lease payments	23,073
Less: Interest	(2,690)
Present value of lease liabilities	20,383	$ 14,824
Lease Liabilities, Payments Due
2019 (remaining six months)	19,536
2020	33,892
2021	25,864
2022	19,724
2023	16,137
2024	13,312
Thereafter	30,779
Total lease payments	$ 159,244

Leases - Lease Term and Discoun

Leases - Lease Term and Discount Rate (Details)	Jun. 30, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	5 years 8 months 12 days
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	5.80%
Buildings and improvements
Lessee, Lease, Description
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	7 years 8 months 12 days
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	5.80%
Vehicle
Lessee, Lease, Description
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	2 years 10 months 24 days
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	4.20%
Hardware, software and other equipment
Lessee, Lease, Description
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	2 years
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	4.30%

Leases - Cash Flow Lease Inform

Leases - Cash Flow Lease Information (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)
Lease, Cost [Abstract]
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$ 478
Financing cash flows from finance leases	3,491
Operating cash flows from operating leases	10,893
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	8,942
Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$ 10,092

Leases - Narrative (Details)

Leases - Narrative (Details)	Jun. 30, 2019
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description
Finance Lease, Renewal Term	1 year
Operating Lease, Renewal Term	1 year
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description
Finance Lease, Renewal Term	5 years
Operating Lease, Renewal Term	5 years

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Estimated Litigation Liability	$ 10,000

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate, Percent	22.40%	15.10%	21.60%	19.70%

Stockholders' Equity - Preferre

Stockholders' Equity - Preferred Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Jul. 16, 2023	Jun. 30, 2019	Jul. 15, 2023	Dec. 31, 2018
Class of Stock
Shares of preferred stock issued		2,565,120		2,565,120
Aggregate liquidation preference		$ 450,000		$ 450,000
Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock Series A
Class of Stock
Dividend rate per year		7.50%
Shares of preferred stock issued		2,200,000
Depositary shares issued		0
Liquidation preference per share		$ 25
Aggregate liquidation preference		$ 55,000
Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock Series B
Class of Stock
Dividend rate per year		7.50%
Shares of preferred stock issued		165,000
Depositary shares issued		6,600,000
Liquidation preference per share		$ 1,000
Aggregate liquidation preference		$ 165,000
Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock Series C
Class of Stock
Dividend rate per year		7.50%
Shares of preferred stock issued		200,000
Depositary shares issued		8,000,000
Liquidation preference per share		$ 1,000
Aggregate liquidation preference		$ 200,000
Preferred Stock | Preferred Stock Series D
Class of Stock
Shares of preferred stock issued		120
Depositary shares issued		0
Liquidation preference per share		$ 250,000
Aggregate liquidation preference		$ 30,000
Preferred Stock | Subsequent Event | Preferred Stock Series D
Class of Stock
Dividend rate per year	5.4941%		7.00%
Dividend rate per year	six-month LIBOR

Stockholders' Equity - Dividend

Stockholders' Equity - Dividends Declared (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018
Common stock
Class of Stock
Declaration Date	May 6, 2019	Feb. 25, 2019	May 7, 2018	Feb. 26, 2018
Common Stock, Dividend Per Share	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.04
Preferred Stock Series A
Class of Stock
Declaration Date	May 6, 2019	Feb. 25, 2019	May 7, 2018	Feb. 26, 2018
Preferred Stock, Dividend Per Share	$ 0.46875	$ 0.46875	$ 0.46875	$ 0.46875
Preferred Stock Series B
Class of Stock
Declaration Date	May 6, 2019	Feb. 25, 2019	May 7, 2018	Feb. 26, 2018
Preferred Stock, Dividend Per Share	$ 18.75	$ 18.75	$ 18.75	$ 18.75
Preferred Stock, Dividend Per Depositary Share	$ 0.46875	$ 0.46875	$ 0.46875	$ 0.46875
Preferred Stock Series C
Class of Stock
Declaration Date	May 6, 2019	Feb. 25, 2019	May 7, 2018	Feb. 26, 2018
Preferred Stock, Dividend Per Share	$ 18.75	$ 18.75	$ 18.75	$ 18.75
Preferred Stock, Dividend Per Depositary Share	$ 0.46875	$ 0.46875	$ 0.46875	$ 0.46875
Preferred Stock Series D
Class of Stock
Declaration Date	May 6, 2019
Preferred Stock, Dividend Per Share	$ 8,750

Stock-Based Compensation - Stoc

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 28, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures
Share Price					$ 22.94
Employee stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding
Outstanding at beginning of period			3,184,352
Exercised			(63,427)
Outstanding at end of period	3,120,925		3,120,925
Exercisable at end of period	3,120,925		3,120,925
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period			$ 9.53
Exercised			3.90
Outstanding at end of period	$ 9.64		9.64
Exercisable at end of period	$ 9.64		$ 9.64
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures
Weighted average remaining contractual term for option awards outstanding			3 years 7 months 6 days
Intrinsic value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of options outstanding	$ 41,500		$ 41,500
Weighted average remaining contractual term for vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable			3 years 7 months
Intrinsic value of the underlying shares reserved for issuance and exercise price of vested portions of options outstanding and currently exercisable	41,500		$ 41,500
Granted in period			0
Forfeitures in period			0
Expirations in period			0
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	749	$ 2,129	$ 1,275	$ 3,631
Fair value of stock options vested	$ 62	$ 412	$ 99	$ 633

Stock-Based Compensation - RSU

Stock-Based Compensation - RSU Activity (Details) - RSUs - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
RSUs
Non-vested at beginning of period			938,795
Granted			510,241
Vested			(337,061)
Forfeited			(10,656)
Non-vested at end of period	1,101,319		1,101,319
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (in usd per share)
Non-vested at beginning of period			$ 22.28
Granted			25.58	$ 20.25
Vested			22.01
Forfeited			24.15
Non-vested at end of period	$ 23.88		$ 23.88
RSUs Additional Disclosures
Fair value of RSU's vested	$ 1,623	$ 1,639	$ 7,419	$ 5,521

Stock-Based Compensation - Narr

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Stock-compensation expense	$ 2,870	$ 2,380	$ 5,492	$ 4,510
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 21,379		$ 21,379
Future period share-based compensation expense period of recognition (in years)			1 year 7 months 6 days
Common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award
Number of shares authorized	2,500,000		2,500,000
Number of shares available for grant	2,500,000		2,500,000

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Net income attributable to NGHC	$ 77,876	$ 44,548	$ 169,634	$ 112,756
Dividends on preferred stock	(8,925)	(7,875)	(16,800)	(15,750)
Numerator for basic EPS	68,951	36,673	152,834	97,006
Preferred stock dividends - convertible	1,050	0	1,050	0
Numerator for diluted EPS - after assumed conversions	$ 70,001	$ 36,673	$ 153,884	$ 97,006
Denominator for basic EPS - weighted-average shares outstanding	113,178,552	106,969,134	113,097,084	106,864,469
Convertible preferred stock	789,473	0	789,473	0
Dilutive potential common shares	2,871,715	2,433,331	2,965,637	2,316,572
Denominator for diluted EPS - weighted-average shares outstanding and assumed conversions	116,050,267	109,402,465	116,062,721	109,181,041
Earnings Per Share, Basic
Basic EPS	$ 0.61	$ 0.34	$ 1.35	$ 0.91
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Diluted EPS	$ 0.60	$ 0.34	$ 1.33	$ 0.89
Employee stock options
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Effect of dilutive securities	1,882,001	2,117,842	1,910,829	2,037,772
RSUs
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Effect of dilutive securities	200,241	315,489	265,335	278,800
Preferred stock dividends - nonconvertible
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Dividends on preferred stock	$ (7,875)	$ (7,875)	$ (15,750)	$ (15,750)
Preferred stock dividends - convertible
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Dividends on preferred stock	$ (1,050)	$ 0	$ (1,050)	$ 0

Related Party Transactions - As

Related Party Transactions - Asset Purchase and Master Services Agreements (Details) - Related Parties - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 13, 2017	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Purchase Commitment
Related Party Transaction
Payments for Software	$ 200,000
Master Service Agreement
Related Party Transaction
Expenses from transactions with related party		$ 23	$ 5,334	$ 448	$ 9,090

Related Party Transactions - NG

Related Party Transactions - NGHC Quota Share Agreement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Related Party Transaction
Restricted investments to trusts in certain reinsurance transactions	$ 58,653		$ 58,653		$ 70,470
Related Parties | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Restricted investments to trusts in certain reinsurance transactions	2,436		2,436		3,796
Related Parties | Maiden
Related Party Transaction
Restricted investments to trusts in certain reinsurance transactions	8,214		$ 8,214		8,644
Related Parties | Reinsurance | ACP Re, Maiden and AmTrust
Related Party Transaction
Percentage of business ceded			50.00%
Related Parties | Reinsurance Recoverable on Unpaid Losses | ACP Re, Maiden and AmTrust
Related Party Transaction
Due from (to) reinsurance treaties	5,664		$ 5,664		$ 7,425
Amounts of transaction	$ (48)	$ 337	$ 408	$ 434

Related Party Transactions - Cr

Related Party Transactions - Credit Agreement with ACP Re (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Related Party Transaction
Other investments	$ 303,980		$ 303,980		$ 306,276
ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	125,000		125,000
Related Parties
Related Party Transaction
Other investments	235,141		235,141		233,723
Related Parties | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	250,000		$ 250,000
Maintenance Covenant, minimum collateral interest as percent of value of outstanding loan balance			115.00%
Minimum percent of change in control included as events of default			50.00%
Related Parties | Loans
Related Party Transaction
Notes Receivable, Related Parties	$ 125,000		$ 125,000
Related Parties | Loans | ACP Re
Related Party Transaction
Interest rate on debt	3.70%		3.70%
Maximum percent of interest that may be paid in kind	1.20%		1.20%
Other investments	$ 128,458		$ 128,458		$ 127,692
Interest Income, Related Party	$ 1,188	$ 1,174	$ 2,376	$ 2,348

Related Party Transactions - Ot

Related Party Transactions - Other Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Related Parties | Lease Agreement 59 Maiden Lane
Related Party Transaction
Expenses from transactions with related party	$ 208	$ 208	$ 415	$ 415
Related Parties | Lease Agreement 30 North LaSalle
Related Party Transaction
Expenses from transactions with related party	77	75	153	150
Chief Executive Officer
Related Party Transaction
Aircraft Rental and Landing Fees	$ 0	$ 0	$ 15	$ 40

Segment Information - Results o

Segment Information - Results of Operations of the Business Segments (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)segment	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of business segments | segment			2
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	$ 1,313,908	$ 1,340,449	$ 2,823,686	$ 2,773,579
Ceded premiums	(318,510)	(450,474)	(663,624)	(776,961)
Net premium written	995,398	889,975	2,160,062	1,996,618
Change in unearned premium	35,253	52,931	(165,254)	(148,174)
Net earned premium	1,030,651	942,906	1,994,808	1,848,444
Ceding commission income	60,192	55,408	129,726	99,876
Service and fee income	148,908	130,501	314,415	272,623
Total underwriting revenues	1,239,751	1,128,815	2,438,949	2,220,943
Loss and loss adjustment expense	715,535	670,328	1,367,344	1,304,494
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	194,126	181,860	406,044	350,570
General and administrative expenses	247,767	224,429	495,861	455,434
Total underwriting expenses	1,157,428	1,076,617	2,269,249	2,110,498
Underwriting income	82,323	52,198	169,700	110,445
Net investment income	35,131	25,995	68,576	51,006
Net loss on investments	(5,230)	(19,704)	(5,208)	(19,586)
Interest expense	(12,925)	(15,038)	(25,924)	(26,192)
Provision for income taxes	(22,241)	(6,541)	(44,747)	(22,743)
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	818	7,638	7,237	19,826
Net income attributable to NGHC	77,876	44,548	169,634	112,756
Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	1,142,236	1,183,613	2,393,470	2,382,967
Ceded premiums	(299,545)	(432,896)	(586,296)	(748,960)
Net premium written	842,691	750,717	1,807,174	1,634,007
Change in unearned premium	21,911	36,020	(139,995)	(95,608)
Net earned premium	864,602	786,737	1,667,179	1,538,399
Ceding commission income	56,264	55,146	123,207	99,356
Service and fee income	95,971	87,560	200,466	184,495
Total underwriting revenues	1,016,837	929,443	1,990,852	1,822,250
Loss and loss adjustment expense	629,211	581,894	1,196,271	1,124,782
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	146,125	133,743	300,195	258,845
General and administrative expenses	186,475	177,297	375,931	357,694
Total underwriting expenses	961,811	892,934	1,872,397	1,741,321
Underwriting income	55,026	36,509	118,455	80,929
Net investment income	0	0	0	0
Net loss on investments	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Provision for income taxes	0	0	0	0
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to NGHC	55,026	36,509	118,455	80,929
Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	171,672	156,836	430,216	390,612
Ceded premiums	(18,965)	(17,578)	(77,328)	(28,001)
Net premium written	152,707	139,258	352,888	362,611
Change in unearned premium	13,342	16,911	(25,259)	(52,566)
Net earned premium	166,049	156,169	327,629	310,045
Ceding commission income	3,928	262	6,519	520
Service and fee income	52,937	42,941	113,949	88,128
Total underwriting revenues	222,914	199,372	448,097	398,693
Loss and loss adjustment expense	86,324	88,434	171,073	179,712
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	48,001	48,117	105,849	91,725
General and administrative expenses	61,292	47,132	119,930	97,740
Total underwriting expenses	195,617	183,683	396,852	369,177
Underwriting income	27,297	15,689	51,245	29,516
Net investment income	0	0	0	0
Net loss on investments	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Provision for income taxes	0	0	0	0
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to NGHC	27,297	15,689	51,245	29,516
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	0	0	0	0
Ceded premiums	0	0	0	0
Net premium written	0	0	0	0
Change in unearned premium	0	0	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Ceding commission income	0	0	0	0
Service and fee income	0	0	0	0
Total underwriting revenues	0	0	0	0
Loss and loss adjustment expense	0	0	0	0
Acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses	0	0	0	0
General and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Total underwriting expenses	0	0	0	0
Underwriting income	0	0	0	0
Net investment income	35,131	25,995	68,576	51,006
Net loss on investments	(5,230)	(19,704)	(5,208)	(19,586)
Interest expense	(12,925)	(15,038)	(25,924)	(26,192)
Provision for income taxes	(22,241)	(6,541)	(44,747)	(22,743)
Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interest	818	7,638	7,237	19,826
Net income attributable to NGHC	$ (4,447)	$ (7,650)	$ (66)	$ 2,311

Segment Information - Long Live

Segment Information - Long Lived Assets and Total Assets of Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting Information
Premiums and other receivables, net	$ 1,532,780	$ 1,399,812
Deferred acquisition costs	270,384	251,408
Reinsurance recoverable	1,443,240	1,611,738
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	609,370	665,674
Intangible assets, net and Goodwill	552,430	560,120
Prepaid and other assets	39,395	154,958
Corporate and other assets	5,219,057	4,795,570
Total assets	9,666,656	9,439,280
Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Premiums and other receivables, net	1,336,158	1,245,530
Deferred acquisition costs	238,227	226,188
Reinsurance recoverable	1,402,613	1,585,008
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	585,249	665,660
Intangible assets, net and Goodwill	439,158	443,163
Prepaid and other assets	23,041	20,941
Corporate and other assets	0	0
Total assets	4,024,446	4,186,490
Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Premiums and other receivables, net	196,232	153,896
Deferred acquisition costs	32,157	25,220
Reinsurance recoverable	40,627	26,730
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	24,121	14
Intangible assets, net and Goodwill	113,272	116,957
Prepaid and other assets	16,294	22,472
Corporate and other assets	0	0
Total assets	422,703	345,289
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information
Premiums and other receivables, net	390	386
Deferred acquisition costs	0	0
Reinsurance recoverable	0	0
Prepaid reinsurance premiums	0	0
Intangible assets, net and Goodwill	0	0
Prepaid and other assets	60	111,545
Corporate and other assets	5,219,057	4,795,570
Total assets	$ 5,219,507	$ 4,907,501

Segment Information - Schedule

Segment Information - Schedule of Revenue by Geographical Location (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	$ 1,313,908	$ 1,340,449	$ 2,823,686	$ 2,773,579
Net premium written	995,398	889,975	2,160,062	1,996,618
Net earned premium	1,030,651	942,906	1,994,808	1,848,444
Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	121,146	117,981	226,715	215,670
Net premium written	56,220	66,848	105,175	117,426
Net earned premium	46,630	51,803	92,288	97,858
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	1,192,762	1,222,468	2,596,971	2,557,909
Net premium written	939,178	823,127	2,054,887	1,879,192
Net earned premium	984,021	891,103	1,902,520	1,750,586
North America
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	1,300,073	1,321,311	2,700,436	2,651,772
Net premium written	983,303	870,837	2,085,859	1,874,811
Net earned premium	1,006,467	907,733	1,945,242	1,778,900
North America | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	121,146	117,981	226,715	215,670
Net premium written	56,220	66,848	105,175	117,426
Net earned premium	46,630	51,803	92,288	97,858
North America | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	1,178,927	1,203,330	2,473,721	2,436,102
Net premium written	927,083	803,989	1,980,684	1,757,385
Net earned premium	959,837	855,930	1,852,954	1,681,042
Europe
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	13,835	19,138	123,250	121,807
Net premium written	12,095	19,138	74,203	121,807
Net earned premium	24,184	35,173	49,566	69,544
Europe | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	0	0	0	0
Net premium written	0	0	0	0
Net earned premium	0	0	0	0
Europe | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	13,835	19,138	123,250	121,807
Net premium written	12,095	19,138	74,203	121,807
Net earned premium	$ 24,184	$ 35,173	$ 49,566	$ 69,544

Segment Information - Service a

Segment Information - Service and Fee Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	$ 148,908	$ 130,501	$ 314,415	$ 272,623
Reciprocal Exchanges
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	1,516	445	2,886	2,891
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	147,392	130,056	311,529	269,732
Property and Casualty
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	95,971	87,560	200,466	184,495
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	1,516	445	2,886	2,891
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	94,455	87,115	197,580	181,604
Accident and Health
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	52,937	42,941	113,949	88,128
Accident and Health | Reciprocal Exchanges
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	0	0	0	0
Accident and Health | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	52,937	42,941	113,949	88,128
Commission revenue
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	35,623	37,226	87,604	76,459
Commission revenue | Property and Casualty
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	19,650	21,434	46,860	43,143
Commission revenue | Accident and Health
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	15,973	15,792	40,744	33,316
Finance and processing fees
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	33,031	30,845	67,491	64,160
Finance and processing fees | Property and Casualty
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	32,145	29,812	64,581	61,872
Finance and processing fees | Accident and Health
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	886	1,033	2,910	2,288
Installment fees
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	25,148	23,785	49,318	45,087
Installment fees | Property and Casualty
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	25,148	23,785	49,318	45,087
Installment fees | Accident and Health
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	0	0	0	0
Group health administrative fees
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	24,548	19,806	48,053	39,097
Group health administrative fees | Property and Casualty
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	0	0	0	0
Group health administrative fees | Accident and Health
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	24,548	19,806	48,053	39,097
Late payment fees
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	8,607	8,663	16,987	16,246
Late payment fees | Property and Casualty
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	8,517	8,638	16,810	16,196
Late payment fees | Accident and Health
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	90	25	177	50
Other service and fee income
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	21,951	10,176	44,962	31,574
Other service and fee income | Property and Casualty
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	10,511	3,891	22,897	18,197
Other service and fee income | Accident and Health
Revenue from External Customer
Service and fee income	$ 11,440	$ 6,285	$ 22,065	$ 13,377

Segment Information - Gross Pre

Segment Information - Gross Premium Written (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	$ 1,313,908	$ 1,340,449	$ 2,823,686	$ 2,773,579
Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	121,146	117,981	226,715	215,670
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	1,192,762	1,222,468	2,596,971	2,557,909
Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	1,142,236	1,183,613	2,393,470	2,382,967
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	121,146	117,981	226,715	215,670
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	1,021,090	1,065,632	2,166,755	2,167,297
Property and Casualty | Personal Auto | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	43,984	42,065	80,846	76,362
Property and Casualty | Personal Auto | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	611,312	632,225	1,377,993	1,356,870
Property and Casualty | Homeowners | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	76,140	74,895	143,940	137,416
Property and Casualty | Homeowners | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	190,037	190,706	342,079	330,959
Property and Casualty | RV/Packaged | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	61,314	59,999	113,165	109,463
Property and Casualty | Small Business Auto | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	83,829	84,986	169,707	171,230
Property and Casualty | Lender-placed insurance | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	58,859	80,599	134,797	165,533
Property and Casualty | Other | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	1,022	1,021	1,929	1,892
Property and Casualty | Other | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	15,739	17,117	29,014	33,242
Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	171,672	156,836	430,216	390,612
Accident and Health | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	171,672	156,836	430,216	390,612
Accident and Health | Group | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	75,036	59,233	139,974	115,293
Accident and Health | Individual | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	82,799	78,464	166,991	153,512
Accident and Health | International | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Gross premium written	$ 13,837	$ 19,139	$ 123,251	$ 121,807

Segment Information - Net Premi

Segment Information - Net Premium Written (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	$ 995,398	$ 889,975	$ 2,160,062	$ 1,996,618
Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	56,220	66,848	105,175	117,426
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	939,178	823,127	2,054,887	1,879,192
Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	842,691	750,717	1,807,174	1,634,007
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	56,220	66,848	105,175	117,426
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	786,471	683,869	1,701,999	1,516,581
Property and Casualty | Personal Auto | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	18,661	14,520	34,306	28,015
Property and Casualty | Personal Auto | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	511,952	485,724	1,170,872	1,039,721
Property and Casualty | Homeowners | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	37,211	52,016	70,227	88,824
Property and Casualty | Homeowners | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	108,404	50,304	193,649	142,900
Property and Casualty | RV/Packaged | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	58,167	59,118	109,764	108,307
Property and Casualty | Small Business Auto | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	65,420	63,432	139,606	128,159
Property and Casualty | Lender-placed insurance | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	37,214	14,887	79,284	78,101
Property and Casualty | Other | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	348	312	642	587
Property and Casualty | Other | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	5,314	10,404	8,824	19,393
Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	152,707	139,258	352,888	362,611
Accident and Health | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	152,707	139,258	352,888	362,611
Accident and Health | Group | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	57,960	48,827	111,910	94,464
Accident and Health | Individual | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	82,652	78,464	166,775	153,512
Accident and Health | International | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net premium written	$ 12,095	$ 11,967	$ 74,203	$ 114,635

Segment Information - Net Earne

Segment Information - Net Earned Premium (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	$ 1,030,651	$ 942,906	$ 1,994,808	$ 1,848,444
Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	46,630	51,803	92,288	97,858
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	984,021	891,103	1,902,520	1,750,586
Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	864,602	786,737	1,667,179	1,538,399
Property and Casualty | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	46,630	51,803	92,288	97,858
Property and Casualty | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	817,972	734,934	1,574,891	1,440,541
Property and Casualty | Personal Auto | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	16,093	12,462	31,954	25,459
Property and Casualty | Personal Auto | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	542,834	486,438	1,053,388	940,654
Property and Casualty | Homeowners | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	30,225	39,109	59,716	71,880
Property and Casualty | Homeowners | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	102,008	79,658	186,066	161,853
Property and Casualty | RV/Packaged | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	49,411	48,993	99,716	94,682
Property and Casualty | Small Business Auto | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	60,059	60,104	127,692	118,666
Property and Casualty | Lender-placed insurance | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	60,278	53,694	101,996	114,163
Property and Casualty | Other | Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	312	232	618	519
Property and Casualty | Other | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	3,382	6,047	6,033	10,523
Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	166,049	156,169	327,629	310,045
Accident and Health | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	166,049	156,169	327,629	310,045
Accident and Health | Group | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	57,949	48,839	111,912	94,478
Accident and Health | Individual | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	83,916	79,329	166,151	153,195
Accident and Health | International | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Net earned premium	$ 24,184	$ 28,001	$ 49,566	$ 62,372

Segment Information - Fee Incom

Segment Information - Fee Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information
Service and fee income	$ 148,908	$ 130,501	$ 314,415	$ 272,623
Ceding commission income	60,192	55,408	129,726	99,876
Fee Income	209,100	185,909	444,141	372,499
Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Service and fee income	95,971	87,560	200,466	184,495
Ceding commission income	56,264	55,146	123,207	99,356
Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Service and fee income	52,937	42,941	113,949	88,128
Ceding commission income	3,928	262	6,519	520
Reciprocal Exchanges | Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Service and fee income	1,516	445	2,886	2,891
Ceding commission income	16,846	13,426	35,380	24,936
Fee Income	18,362	13,871	38,266	27,827
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges
Segment Reporting Information
Fee Income	190,738	172,038	405,875	344,672
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Property and Casualty
Segment Reporting Information
Service and fee income	94,455	87,115	197,580	181,604
Ceding commission income	39,418	41,720	87,827	74,420
Fee Income	133,873	128,835	285,407	256,024
NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Service and fee income	52,937	42,941	113,949	88,128
Ceding commission income	3,928	262	6,519	520
Fee Income	56,865	43,203	120,468	88,648
Group | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Service and fee income	32,862	24,756	63,236	49,570
Individual | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Service and fee income	1,242	2,164	3,378	3,461
Third Party Fee | NGHC, excluding Reciprocal Exchanges | Accident and Health
Segment Reporting Information
Service and fee income	$ 18,833	$ 16,021	$ 47,335	$ 35,097